Language Arts
Children who enter
Kindergarten knowing many different words, carrying on conversations with other
children and adults, and sharing information and asking questions are better
prepared to learn to read and write. During preschool years, they learn to form the different sounds words
make through hearing stories read to them and be reciting nursery rhymes and
playing other word games. When
young children hear books read aloud to them, they learn how to listen and how
to talk about the stories, and they add new words to their vocabularies.
Tips and Activities:
- Read aloud to your child everyday. Set aside time before or after
dinner and time before bed.
- As you read:
- Let your child hold the book and turn the
pages.
- Move your finger along under the words.
- Point to and talk about the pictures that go
with the words.
- Pause while you read and ask your child what
he/she thinks might happen next.
- Encourage him/her to ask questions about what
is being read.
- Talk about a word that is new to your child.
- At the end of the story, talk about your
child’s favorite parts.
- Read rhymes to your child, such as “Brown bear,
brown bear, what do you see?” As you read, stop before a rhyming word and encourage your child to
fill in the blank. Teach your
child some nursery rhymes and sing songs together.
- Point out words that are a part of everyday
life, such as words on billboards (McDonalds, Pizza Hut), cereal boxes
(Cheerios, Wheaties), and street signs (STOP, SCHOOL).
- Visit the library monthly and pick out books with
your child. Ask your child to
“read” a favorite story to you.
- Ask your child to tell a story for you to write
down. Read it back to
him/her.
- Make a book out of your child’s writing.Have him/her draw pictures to go
with the words or scribbles.
- Ask the librarian/teacher to suggest books that
you can read to your child.