Fun with Words for Parents and Children
Last month we looked at a workshop that can
be presented to parents, grandparents, and childcare providers called “Fun with Letters for Parents and Children.”
This month, the focus will be on a similar workshop, “Fun with Words for Parents and Children.” Here is a brief look at
this workshop.
The workshop was created because of the
importance of children having a large vocabulary, which has been proven to be related
to reading success and is also a predictor of long-term reading achievement.
This workshop will discuss both the importance of a child’s listening
vocabulary and also speaking vocabulary.
One interesting point --- this workshop is
geared to children ages two to five, though we know the importance of sharing
words with babies from birth. However, ALSC has addressed babies and words in a
separate effort (see Website of the Month below.)
For the workshop you
will be need the following books: wordless picture books, predictable books,
information books, books with nursery rhymes and poetry, riddle and joke books,
and books by Dr. Seuss. You also need to pick a song that has more unusual or
rare words --- the one used in this workshop is “Everything Has A Shape” by Hap
Palmer, however you can use what ever song you want.
In this workshop (as
every other workshop), you will explain the five simple practices: Talking;
Singing, Reading, Writing, and Playing, and then you go through each practice,
relating each to the importance of words and vocabulary.
Talking – Suggestions
are to play labeling games and label objects and events in the child’s world.
It is also stressed to label feelings. Adults are also encouraged to talk about
what they are doing as they go throughout their day. They are to ask children
questions, listen to the answers, and then ask another question based on what the child said. Also, adults can tell
stories about their day, memories growing up, or memories from their child’s
life. Librarians are asked to share wordless picture books and explain why they
are so important to use with young children.
Singing: The song
used in the manual is “Everything Has A
Shape” by Hap Palmer, though you can use another song if desired, but
choose one with rich vocabulary.
Reading – Children learn
more words from books then they do from everyday conversation, so the importance
of sharing picture books is mentioned. The librarian should then share a
predictable book that invites verbal participation. Examples are: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Is
Your Mama a Llama; Jump, Frog, Jump!; and Rhyming Dust Bunnies.
Writing – Activity
suggestions include making a word jar,
making a book of a child’s favorite words, or asking a child to give a
caption for a picture or drawing, which the parent then writes.
Playing – Fun books
are used here: books with made-up words (example Dr. Seuss); silly poetry
books; and riddle and joke books.
There is handout
that accompanies this workshop and it contains “Storytime Starters” for parents.
Here are just a few examples:
- Tell your child how
you felt the day he or she was born.
- Talk to your child
about his/her childhood.
- Use simple props
(puppets, stuffed animals) to tell a story.
- Use family photos to
tell stories.
-
Make a word book by
clipping photos from magazines.
-
Encourage your child
to tell a story about a favorite event.
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Some Bugs
by Angie
Di Terlizzi
Beach Lane, 2016.
ISBN: 978-1-4424-5880-2 $17.99
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Since the focus of the newsletter this month
is on words, I want to share a new favorite book that is wonderful for
introducing preschoolers to new and rare words. One of the important reasons to
share picture books with children (Or the “Read,” in ECRR’s five practices of
Talk, Read, Sing, Write & Play) is the exposure to new vocabulary, and this
book fits the bill perfectly. It will make a great storytime addition to any
bug storytime. A second wonderful feature is that the text is completely written
in rhyme, which is helpful for young children’s phonological awareness. So this
books stars in three of the six original skills (ECRR 1st edition) which we now
know are crucial for young children learning to read. In addition to the above
two, children may be intrigued to notice that the rhyming words are done in a
larger font in bright colors – perfect for print awareness. And if you need
another reason to consider adding this book to your collection, there is a
wonderful STEM extension at the end of the book.
“Some bugs
STING, some bugs BITE, Some bugs STINK, and some bugs FIGHT!” begins the text. (Make sure you hold your nose when you say “stink” while
reading the text, and also emphasize the rhyming words.) Following are delightful double page spreads, illustrated by
Brendan Wenzel (or as the cover states – Bugs by Brendan Wenzel) describing all
the different things bugs do. Listen to the awesome vocabulary presented midway
in the text: “Stinging, Biting, Stinking, Fighting, Hopping, Gliding, Swimming,
Hiding, Building, Making, Hunting, Taking – bugs are oh-so-FASCINATING!” But
the best part is when the narrator invites the reader to investigate their own
backyard and see what bugs can be found there. To help, there is a double-page
spread identifying over 40 different kinds of bugs (also depicting Oskar the
cat character.) This leads to a wonderful STEM activity where children can go
outside and find bugs on their own. For libraries, this would be a great summer
reading activity!
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