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eachers and subjects you
were studying. Talk about your brothers, sisters, or
friends.
4. Write a trip journal with your child to create a new
family story. Recording the day's special event and
pasting the photograph into the journal ties the family
story to a written record. You can also include everyday
trips like going to the market or the park.
It helps for children to know that stories come from real
people and are about real events. When children listen to
stories, they hear the voice of the storyteller. This helps
them hear the words when they learn to read aloud or read
silently.
Now Hear This
Children are great mimics. When you tell stories, your
child will begin to tell stories, too.
What to do
1. Have your child tell stories like those you have told.
Ask: "And then what happened?" to urge the story along.
2. Listen closely when your child speaks. Be enthusiastic and
responsive.
3. If you don't understand some part of the story, take the
time to get your child to explain. This will help your
child understand the relationship between a speaker and a
listener and an author and a reader.
4. Encourage your child to express himself or herself. This
will help your child develop a wide vocabulary. It can
also help with pronouncing words clearly.
Having a good audience is very helpful for a child to
improve language skills, as well as poise in speaking. Parents
can be the best audience a child will ever have.
P.S. I Love You
Something important happens when children receive and
write letters. They realize that the printed word has a
purpose.
What you'll need
Paper
Pencil, crayon, or marker
What to do
1. Send your child little notes (by putting them in a pocket
or lunch box, for example). When your child shows you the
note, read it out loud with expression. Some children will
read the notes on their own.
2. When your child expresses a feeling or thought that's
related to a person, have your child write a letter. Have
your child dictate the words to you if your child doesn't
write yet.
For example:
Dear Grandma,
I like it when you make ice cream. It's better than the
kind we buy at the store.
Your grandson,
Darryl
P.S. I love you.
3. Ask the people who receive these notes to respond. An oral
response is fine--a written response is even better.
4. Explain the writing process to your child: "We think of
ideas and put them into words; we put the words on paper;
people read the words; and people respond."
Language is speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Each element supports and enriches the other. Sending letters
will help children become writers, and writing will make them
better readers.
Easy as Pie
Preparing meals is another good way for children to
practice language skills.
What you'll need
Paper
Pencil
Cookbook or recipes
Food supplies
What to do
1. Ask children to help you prepare a grocery list.
2. Take them to the market and have them find items on the
list.
3. Have them help put away the groceries and encourage them
to read the labels, box tops, and packages as they store
them.
4. Have them read the ingredients from a recipe.
5. Prepare a meal together and let them take needed items
from shelves and storage areas.
6. Talk about the steps in preparing a meal--first, second,
and so on.
7. Praise the efforts of your early reader and encourage
other family members to do the same.
The purpose of reading is to get meaning from the page. By
using reading skills to prepare a meal, children see positive
results from reading.
Write On
Writing helps a child become a better reader, and reading
helps a child become a better writer.
What you'll need
Pencils, crayons, or markers
Paper or notebook
Chalkboard
What to do
1. Ask your preschooler to dictate a story to you.
It could include descriptions of your outings and
activities, along with mementos such as fall leaves,
birthday cards, and photographs. Older children can do
these activities on the
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