Get Ready with Words

Vibrant and Shiny

September 18, 2018

Promote your child’s cognitive development by using descriptive words this week. For example, instead of saying, “Throw the ball,” say, “Throw the green ball high into the air.” Not only are you enriching your child’s vocabulary, you are also helping your child connect descriptive language to everyday objects. EN ESPAÑOLDefinitionsLiteracyArtScienceDefinitionsDefinitions Vibrant –…

Opposite and Different

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Learning and understanding opposites are important early literacy skills. This basic concept helps children identify characteristics that are similar and different, which will help further develop vocabulary, math, and writing skills as they get older. Focus on differences this week- “How are these two books different? What’s the difference between…

Hexagon and Octagon

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Identifying shapes is a pre-math skill that will provide an early foundation in geometry. The shapes we are focusing on this week are very similar. Work with your child on comparing the differences between the two (one has 6 sides, one has 8). Comparing shapes is an activity that encourages…

Long and Short

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Learning and understanding opposites helps further develop vocabulary, math, and writing skills as children get older. This week, look for items around your home that are long and short. Compare the items you find with your child. EN ESPAÑOLDefinitionsLiteracyArtScienceDefinitionsDefinitions Long -The beginning is far from the end. Short -The ends…

Equal and Same

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

This week’s words are also synonyms. Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. Learning words that have similar meanings is a great way to build vocabulary. As you are running errands, say a word to your child and encourage them to think of a synonym. “What’s another word for…

Top and Bottom

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

This week’s positional words are also opposites. As with positional words, learning opposites creates a foundation for your child to follow directions and better understand the world around him/her. Ask your child to identify the top and bottom of items you see everyday- cereal boxes, drink containers, shoes, trees- everything!…

In Front and Behind

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Positional words help explain where things are in relation to something else. Many positional words are also known as prepositions and include words such as: on, above, next to, and below. Practice this vocabulary with your children by giving simple instructions to place toys in different “positions” in their room…

Amplify and Tune

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Music is a natural way to help very young children learn the meaning of new words and helps with reading comprehension later when they are in school. Use songs to teach new words and make sure you explain the meaning of these words (explicit instruction) using terms that children will…

Xylophone and Mallet

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

Early Literacy Tip: clap out the syllables in the words of the week to begin developing phonemic awareness. The kinesthetic (movement) connection, helps children engage with the sounds of the words and letters. EN ESPAÑOLDefinitionsLiteracyArtScienceDefinitionsDefinitions XYLOPHONE – A musical instrument that has wooden bars that make different sounds when hit with…

Upside Down and Right Side Up

February 28, 2018

Get Ready with Words

The words this week provide a good opportunity to raise your child’s print awareness. As you read with your child, start with the book upside down. Allow your child to help you position the book right-side up. Ask your child questions to explore how they found the correct way to…