Build vocabulary and Oral language skills
Oral
language and vocabulary provide the foundation for
literacy.
Without this foundation, children may be able to learn the skills of
reading and writing, but they will not be able to read and write well.
Developing strong vocabulary and oral language skills takes time and effort, but it can be done throughout every type of activity, all day long every day.
Vocabulary
What is important
- Descriptive words
- New words for concepts the child already knows (For example, say huge instead of big.)
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- In conversation with the child, model how to add in descriptive words. Repeat back to the child what he or she said, but add in more descriptive words such as colors, shapes, etc.
- When a child uses a common word such as 'jump', repeat the sentence using a different word such as 'leap'.
What is important
- joining sentences with conjunctions
- prepositions
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Model joining two ideas with 'and' or 'but'.
- Make a game where you say one thing you like and one thing you don't like joined with the word 'but'. (example: I like bananas, but I don't like monsters.)
- Pay special attention to prepositions. It is easy to assume that children understand and know how to use them, but they are often a source of confusion. Model how to use them. (To see an example of this, watch the video below.)
- Play games with prepositions. Give silly instructions of where to put things. (Put the cup on top of your head.)
Comprehension skills
What is important
- Story or event narration
- Relating ideas together--something read in a book makes you think of something you did or another book, etc.
- Basic format of story--very basic plot, characters, place, etc.
How to help children develop these concepts and skills
- Take turns retelling the day's events. Help the children extend their retelling by you adding in one more thing to their description.
To see all of the skills in the experimental reading and writing stage, click on the links below.
Letters and Sounds
Sight Words
Beginning Writing
Concepts About Print
Phonological Awareness
