* Write
family diaries
* Write
messages to each other
* Cook
together and read recipes
* Read
bulletin from school
* Collect
grocery coupons
* Create
photo album captions
* Read
video game directions
* Sing
together
* Design
cards and invitations
* Write
and file addresses
* Write
letters to relatives
* Write
a family history
* Videotape
family events
* Make
shopping lists
Read TV guide and discuss good choices
*
Discover Dictionaries
As your youngster begins to read
and write, it’s a good idea for her to learn how to use a dictionary. Why?
So she can master new words and improve her spelling. Consider these three
tips to help your child get started:
· Try
using a children’s dictionary. Young children are more apt to look up words
in a kid-friendly dictionary, which usually has larger type, a smaller
selection of words, and more pictures than standard dictionaries. The
DK
Children’s Illustrated Dictionary
and the
Scholastic
First Dictionary are both
excellent choices.
Show your
child that the dictionary is arranged so words are in alphabetical order.
Explain to her that all the words starting with “a” can be found in the
first section, all the words starting with “b” are in the next, and so on.
Practice
looking up words together. Point out the first letter of a word like “Pet”,
which starts with “p”. Next, ask your child to find the section that starts
with that letter. Then, point out the remaining letters, one at a time,
until she finds the word. For example, say “the second letter is ‘e’. Can
you look for words that begin with ‘p-e?” Finally, read the definition with
her.
