Words in the Bank
When visiting my family in Italy, I met my two-year-old cousin Bernadetta. She spoke only Italian and I spoke only English. One morning, she asked me, “Dov'รจ la nonna?” I knew the word Nonna and since Bernadetta was looking around, I figured out that she was looking for her grandmother. I knew where Nonna was — but I had no words to tell Bernadetta. As I looked at her helplessly, I bet she was thinking, “What is wrong with this grown-up who can’t talk?” My Italian word-bank was empty.
Before children can learn to read they must fill their word-banks. New readers must be able to connect sounds and symbols to words they know. Children with larger oral vocabularies have an easier time learning to read. Oral vocabulary is defined as the words students understand from listening and speaking to others. How can parents help children fill their word banks? Talk, listen, and read.
- Use “big” words. Introduce new and interesting words in everyday conversations. Speak in complete sentences and use context to help your child understand meaning. “The rabbit scampered quickly into his den just ahead of the hawk.” The context suggests the meaning of the new word “scampered.” That rabbit was moving!
- Be expressive. Facial expressions, hand gestures, and vocal cues convey meaning. “The bully snickered at his cowering victim.” Snicker and cower. Show the meaning with your voice, expressions, and actions.
- Sing! “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King, a song about the meaning of a word, is full of new words: philosophy, aroma, sensitive, downwind, ashamed, downhearted, etc. Stars twinkle, spiders climb water-spouts, and we row merrily. Poems are a great resource. Check out the many rhyming books offered in your library.
- Ask questions. Ask your child to explain something he is excited about. “How did you construct your fort?” Encourage our child to ask you questions.
- Make new friends. Introduce your child to people from many walks of life. “Tammy works in aeronautics. Tom is a botanist” When appropriate, include them in your adult conversations. Research community workers online to find words related to their work.
- Enjoy new experiences together. Go camping. See a play. Visit a museum. Add words as you enjoy each others’ company. Research new information together.
- Highlight new words when you use them. Keep a list of words that interest you and your children. “That Lucy is such a fussbudget. She flabbergasts Schroeder.”
- Map Words. When you learn a new word, connect it to others your child knows. Expand the map as you make connections. “Clams are bivalves. I wonder if bivalve is connected to bicycles? Let’s find out.”
- Make friends with your librarian. Librarians will suggest great books for any interest.
- READ, READ, READ! Books with illustrations are great resources for filling word-banks. Reading with your children adds interest and builds vocabulary.
Fill your child’s word-bank through conversations, experiences, and shared reading. Deposit words that your child can withdraw when learning to read.
(This is the fifth in a series about reading success.)
No comments:
Post a Comment