Letters/Words/Language

Your Child, The Writer – Encourage your child to make up a story or recount an experience. As the “official recorder,” write down your child’s words. After the piece is finished, examine it together. Does he or she want to change anything? Post the dictation on the refrigerator door where you and your child can reread it.

Act It Out – Help your child develop a good vocabulary of descriptive words. Write a variety of action words that are easy to act out on a set of index cards. Take turns choosing a card and acting out the word on it. After one person guesses the descriptive word, switch places.

Reading to Others – Encourage your child to read to a younger sibling or neighbor. Provide an easy-to-read book, and let your child share the book with the younger child. Sharing books this way will build your child’s confidence as a reader and demonstrate the rewards of sharing and helping.

Treasure Hunt – Organize a treasure hunt in your home or outside. Following a list of simple directions to find the hidden treasure will give your child a fun way to practice reading.

Winning Words – Play synonym games with your child. Synonyms are words with similar meanings. One player says a word, and then the other players say as many synonyms as they can. For instance, one player could say “hot.” The other players could then say “sizzling” and “burning.”