I just presented to my local mom's group about typical language development (0-6) and strategies to use to increase children's language skills. I almost had to cancel, as I have a pretty terrible infection in my breast and my daughter has a bit of a cold, but I powered through and am a better woman for it...
The meeting was great! I had a ton of fantastic questions from my peer's and I think everyone enjoyed it. It is an honor to be in a room with all the other fantastic women and to see how much they all love and support their children and friends. I have been blessed to be part of the group and will miss them when my family moves.
Ladies, thank you for allowing me to share with you my passion... and a special thanks to Kaela who chased around my little girl through-out the meeting.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Books have words? Really?!
I have worked with my son's language skills for what seems like his whole life (what a minute-- I really have done it his whole life-- all three years and 11 months.) We read books and talk about the world around us. We discuss how to make things, we describe the steps needed to complete a task, and even create elaborate stories together. But recently I have been reminded how many vocabulary teaching opportunities are present in books...
The funny thing is, that many simple children's books have an abundant amount of new words for us to teach our children. I should know this right? Well, I DO know it! It is just that sometimes I get caught up in reading the story and I just READ the story. I ASSUME that my child knows words that he doesn't. (Assuming is never good. I should know this by now.)
You haven't ever done that?! Well, guess you can stop reading this post then...
Anyway... I have started ASKing (novel idea, huh?) my son if he understands two-three words through-out a story. I could ask him every word, or a word on every page, but if I have learned anything in working with young children it is that if we overload them with questions we lose their interest and attention. And you need a child's attention to teach. So sticking with a few words is best. Besides, it decreases the risk of information overload and increases the likelihood of learning.
At my house we read at least two books a day. Lately our time for reading together has varied. Some days we read at bed time and other days we read at nap time (not that my son naps anymore- I could only be so lucky- but his sister does). Side note: I have also started working out during my daughter's nap and I have found that if I give my son 20 minutes of one-on-one time he will happily play by himself while I have some me time.
After I lay my daughter down I ask my son if he would like to read. If he is interested he picks out at least two books. When I read the books I make a special attempt to stop through-out the story and discuss the meaning of a few words presented in the story. For instance, just in the past few days we have focused on separate, compact, dual and double. All these words are in the book I Stink by: Kate & Jim McMullan.
When I pick new words to teach I make it a point to remember them and look for opportunities to demonstrate their meaning in our daily lives. For an example, we have watched the oil separate from water and separated dough in to two halves; given each other doubles high-fives; and compacted the trash before taking is out. Once I hear my son use a new word in a sentence, without being prompted or cued by me, I know he has added the word to his memory bank. Then, I teach new words from a new book.
I hope you enjoy a new story with your child today and remember that YOU can add a new word to your child's vocabulary EVERYDAY. Just read to them (in a teaching manner and not like I had been reading- wink, wink) and discuss the world around you... Remember, the more words that your child has in their lexicon the better ability they have to express their wants, needs, feelings, and interests.
Good luck!
The funny thing is, that many simple children's books have an abundant amount of new words for us to teach our children. I should know this right? Well, I DO know it! It is just that sometimes I get caught up in reading the story and I just READ the story. I ASSUME that my child knows words that he doesn't. (Assuming is never good. I should know this by now.)
You haven't ever done that?! Well, guess you can stop reading this post then...
Anyway... I have started ASKing (novel idea, huh?) my son if he understands two-three words through-out a story. I could ask him every word, or a word on every page, but if I have learned anything in working with young children it is that if we overload them with questions we lose their interest and attention. And you need a child's attention to teach. So sticking with a few words is best. Besides, it decreases the risk of information overload and increases the likelihood of learning.
At my house we read at least two books a day. Lately our time for reading together has varied. Some days we read at bed time and other days we read at nap time (not that my son naps anymore- I could only be so lucky- but his sister does). Side note: I have also started working out during my daughter's nap and I have found that if I give my son 20 minutes of one-on-one time he will happily play by himself while I have some me time.
After I lay my daughter down I ask my son if he would like to read. If he is interested he picks out at least two books. When I read the books I make a special attempt to stop through-out the story and discuss the meaning of a few words presented in the story. For instance, just in the past few days we have focused on separate, compact, dual and double. All these words are in the book I Stink by: Kate & Jim McMullan.
When I pick new words to teach I make it a point to remember them and look for opportunities to demonstrate their meaning in our daily lives. For an example, we have watched the oil separate from water and separated dough in to two halves; given each other doubles high-fives; and compacted the trash before taking is out. Once I hear my son use a new word in a sentence, without being prompted or cued by me, I know he has added the word to his memory bank. Then, I teach new words from a new book.
I hope you enjoy a new story with your child today and remember that YOU can add a new word to your child's vocabulary EVERYDAY. Just read to them (in a teaching manner and not like I had been reading- wink, wink) and discuss the world around you... Remember, the more words that your child has in their lexicon the better ability they have to express their wants, needs, feelings, and interests.
Good luck!
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