More Great Books for Maine Kids

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Upcoming Dates: Raising Readers Presents

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Raising Readers tote bags make great library bags. They're sturdy enough to be absolutely stuffed with great books borrowed from the kids' section of your local library!

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More Great Books for Maine Kids

NEWS FROM RAISING READERS MARCH 2012

Use Your Words! Building Vocabulary

We know that children that have bigger vocabularies tend to be better readers and writers. Helping children learn new words can be so easy and fun, we sometimes don't even think about it.

Here are some ideas to help you:

Read aloud to your child using books that have rich vocabulary. If you come to a word your child doesn't know, stop and talk about it.
Create a "word-curious" environment. Praise your child when she asks you what a word means. Look it up together if you don't know.
Try and use vocabulary that might be a little above your child's ability.
Model an interest in words by saying things like, "I just love the sound of that word. I want to use it more," or "Hmm, that's an interesting word. I wonder what it means. What do you think?"
Use the language of past and present tense by talking about things that have already happened and anticipating things that will happen.

Excerpted from 2012 Maine Early Literacy Calendar for parents

Raising Readers Presents...

Don't miss the chance to meet the creators of favorite children's books during our "Raising Readers Presents..." series at the children's museums in Bangor, Portland and Augusta.

Upcoming events:

Friday, 4/6/12, 6:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine in Portland

Author Amy MacDonald presents her picture book, COUSIN RUTH'S TOOTH with Pediatrician Dr. Christopher Pezzullo from University Health Care for Kids.

Saturday, 4/28/12, 11:00 AM & 12:00 PM

Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor

Authors John and Ann Hassett present their picture book, TOO MANY FROGS with Dr. Colette Sabbagh of Husson Pediatrics.

FMI on additional events.

Author John Hassett reads Too Many Frogs! at the series kickoff in Portland.

Children join author Ann Hassett in a chorus of "too many frogs!"

Vocabulary Builder
Learning the Names of Things

Knowing the names of things is important. Games and songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes can help children learn the names of their body parts. Sing this song if you know it, and if you don't, just say to your child, "I wonder if you can find your belly." Wait. "Yes, that's your belly!" "Can you find your toes?"

Do all the usual body parts and then get more complicated with wrist, elbow, shin, ankle, etc. Can your child find the parts on your body? Encourage and gently correct as needed.

You'll be having fun and growing your child's vocabulary. Head, shoulder, knees and toes - that's four new words right there!

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Let us know what you're thinking about reading with your kids. Or read parent reviews of favorite Raising Readers books. We hope to create a community of Maine families helping one another to raise a new generation of readers in Maine.