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Welcome to Raising Readers
One of the ways we connect with families across Maine is through social media. Visit our new Pinterest page for pins about recommended books, book-related activities and read aloud tips. You'll even find a board with some really cool snack/food ideas with ties to children's books. Don't miss the Very Hungry Caterpillar made of grapes (or cupcakes)! |
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A World of 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. We should, though, since our knowing words makes a big difference in our ability to comprehend text and communicate ideas.
Help Your Child Learn New Words
Share books that have simple concepts like opposites, color words and names of animals in them. When you read these books, point out things in the room that go with the book, such as, "This says, Blue. You're wearing blue pants, too! I also see a blue pillow on the couch. What can you find that's blue?"
Post a word of the day. See how many times you can use it. (You don't need to pick some obscure word, just go for a word that might be new for your child.)
Visit new places like a fire station, farm or a history museum. Each environment has language that is specific to that place. Use the correct vocabulary when you talk about the place, "Remember how the dispatcher told the firefighters to go?" "I thought the tractor did a good job plowing that field."
Play make-believe with your child. You'll use different vocabulary with different pretend scenarios. In a grocery store, you might say, "Are you ready to check out? Come over to the cash register." In a pet shop, you might say, "Did you want to buy a leash for your puppy?" |
Why Read with Your Children?
You've probably heard the mantra "read with your child every day" again and again. What you may not hear as often, is why that's so important. Consider this: - Talking, reading and singing to your baby can help the brain become familiar with the sounds of language.
- Looking at pictures in books and talking about them help children become familiar with how books work.
- Babies who have been read to learn more and are more likely to be successful in school.
- Reading and talking about what you read helps your young child connect to you and the text you are reading. Both are important for later learning.
"You marinate them in print, until they drip with literacy."
- Patricia Edwards, PhD
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Latest News |  | |
Latest Anthology Now at All Maine Libraries
Q. Where can I get your anthologies outside the program?
A. Look no further than your local library! Copies of all our anthologies are at each public library in Maine. |
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