Explore Everyday Text with Phoebe and Jay!

Everyday text is all around us! We find everyday text on menus, street signs, food boxes, clothing labels, bus maps, in elevators, and so much more. That means there are lots of opportunities to notice and talk about how letters, words, icons, pictures, numbers, sounds, and symbols help us get things done and navigate the world. These texts can give us information so that we can make decisions, help us keep track of things, provide instructions, or tell us what needs to happen next. Everyday text plays such an important role in our world!

Here are easy ways to help your child notice and use everyday text, just like Phoebe and Jay:

Phoebe and Jay are always on the go in Tobsy Towers, and the elevator often takes them there. Elevators have lots of everyday text, such as the button labels, dings, and braille on the buttons. The twins think about which floor they’re on and which one they need next, then find the right number and push it. And for Phoebe, it often also requires impulse control so that she doesn’t rush to push the wrong buttons! (In her defense, Cousin Craig also likes to push all the buttons!)

Whenever my four-year old daughter spots an elevator, I can guarantee she will race toward it. But before pressing the button, she knows to wait and ask, “Up or down?” Once inside I tell her the floor number and she locates that same number button. Then, with great joy, just like Phoebe and Jay, she pushes the elevator button and we’re on our way!

Where do you and your child use elevators? In your apartment building? At the mall? At a daycare facility? A parking garage? Visiting friends and family? The next time you are in an elevator, encourage your child to take the lead and select the button to take you where you need to go.

Saturdays at Tobsy Towers means fresh juice from Mr. Aguilar’s fruit cart! The twins use the menu to make choices about what they want. In fact, they become so good at ordering juices that they even have a juice named after them, the Phoebe & Jay Special! Sometimes Mr. Aguilar crosses out juices that are unavailable because he sold out, which gives the twins a wonderful opportunity to practice flexible thinking to pick something else.

Menus are everywhere from restaurants and food carts to barbershops and salons. They use words, numbers, graphics, icons, and images to help people make choices. The next time you look at a menu with your child, point out different parts that tell you important information about what you can order, like food names, prices, spicy icons, allergy labels, or photos of the food. Talk with your child about how these clues help you make decisions together.

Choosing what to wear helps kids express themselves and learn independence. In one episode, Jay uses clothing size labels to find a pair of size 6 slacks to replace his muddy ones for a family photo. Thankfully he finds the right size and puts together a great outfit.

Closets, laundry baskets, and thrift stores are full of opportunities to explore size labels together. Kids love picking their own clothes, and labels help them understand what fits. Too small can feel uncomfortable; too big can be unsafe for active play. Clothing labels can also provide information about the materials the clothes are made from and how to wash or take care of the clothing.

If your kids are like mine, it may seem as if they grow faster than weeds! Having a family clothes sorting session could be one way to organize your home, spend time together, and practice using everyday text. Just turn on some music and ask your child to help look for those size labels!

As you go about your day, keep an eye out for these little chances to explore text together. It doesn’t have to be a big lesson — just simple, shared moments that help your child feel capable and curious. And who knows? You might even start noticing new things right alongside them.