Choose a LeapPad Flip Book and turn it on. Show you child how to use the LeapPad pen to touch the GO button on the edge of the page. Touch any of the words and pictures on the page, or touch SAY IT or the small word bubble icon to hear the entire page read out loud.
Ask your child to repeat what he hears, then touch the word with the pen again. Allow him to repeat as many times as he'd like to become familiar with the word.
Guide your child to touch the SOUND IT button and slide the pen over a word. This will make the system sound the word out slowly. Encourage your child to repeat what he hears, focusing on pronouncing each part of the word.
Guide your child to touch the SPELL IT button. The system will spell the word. Ask your child to do the same. When he is comfortable, allow him to move back and forth between the SOUND IT and SPELL IT buttons to hear the way a word is spelled and how it sounds. He should repeat what he hears as much as necessary.
Choose one of the words from the story your child is reading and ask him to spell it for you. Hand him a notebook or paper and pencil, and ask him to write the letters. When he finishes, ask him if he can read the word he wrote. If necessary, have him sound the word out, using the SOUND IT button as a prompt.
Give your child the freedom to move through the stories and series at his own pace, but watch to be sure he utilizes both the SOUND IT and SPELL IT features often. When he seems comfortable with a word or a phrase, encourage him to write it himself in his notebook.