Fun with Words for
Parents and Children
Last month we looked at a workshop that can be presented to parents, grandparents, and childcare providers called “Fun with Letters for Parents and Children.” This month, the focus
will be on a similar workshop, “Fun with Words for Parents and Children.” Here is a brief look at this workshop.
The workshop was created because of the importance of children having a large vocabulary, which has been proven to be related to reading success and is also a predictor of long-term
reading achievement. This workshop will discuss both the importance of a child’s listening vocabulary and also speaking vocabulary.
One interesting point --- this workshop is geared to children ages two to five, though we know the importance of sharing words with babies from birth. However, ALSC has addressed babies
and words in a separate effort (see Website of the Month below.)
For the workshop you will be need the following books: wordless picture books, predictable books, information books, books with nursery rhymes and poetry, riddle and joke books, and
books by Dr. Seuss. You also need to pick a song that has more unusual or rare words --- the one used in this workshop is “Everything Has A Shape” by Hap Palmer, however you can use what ever song you want.
In this workshop (as every other workshop), you will explain the five simple practices: Talking; Singing, Reading, Writing, and Playing, and then you go through each practice, relating
each to the importance of words and vocabulary.
Talking – Suggestions are to play labeling games and label objects and events in the child’s world. It is also stressed to label feelings. Adults are also encouraged to talk about what
they are doing as they go throughout their day. They are to ask children questions, listen to the answers, and then ask another question based on what the child said. Also, adults can tell stories about their day, memories growing up, or memories from their
child’s life. Librarians are asked to share wordless picture books and explain why they are so important to use with young children.
Singing: The song used in the manual is “Everything Has A Shape” by Hap Palmer, though you can use another song if desired, but choose one with rich vocabulary.
Reading – Children learn more words from books then they do from everyday conversation, so the importance of sharing picture books is mentioned. The librarian should then share a predictable
book that invites verbal participation. Examples are: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Is Your Mama a Llama; Jump, Frog, Jump!; and Rhyming Dust Bunnies.
Writing – Activity suggestions include making a word jar, making a book of a child’s favorite words, or asking a child to give a caption for a picture or drawing, which the parent
then writes.
Playing – Fun books are used here: books with made-up words (example Dr. Seuss); silly poetry books; and riddle and joke books.
There is handout that accompanies this workshop and it contains “Storytime Starters” for parents. Here are just a few examples:
- Tell your child how you felt the day he or she was born.
- Talk to your child about his/her childhood.
- Use simple props (puppets, stuffed animals) to tell a story.
- Use family photos to tell stories.
- Make a word book by clipping photos from magazines.
- Encourage your child to tell a story about a favorite event.
New Book of the Month
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Some Bugs
by Angie Di Terlizzi
Beach Lane, 2016.
ISBN: 978-1-4424-5880-2 $17.99
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Since the focus of the newsletter this month is on words, I want to share a new favorite book that is wonderful for introducing preschoolers to new and rare words. One of the important
reasons to share picture books with children (Or the “Read,” in ECRR’s five practices of Talk, Read, Sing, Write & Play) is the exposure to new vocabulary, and this book fits the bill perfectly. It will make a great storytime addition to any bug storytime.
A second wonderful feature is that the text is completely written in rhyme, which is helpful for young children’s phonological awareness. So this books stars in three of the six original skills (ECRR 1st edition) which we now know are crucial for young children
learning to read. In addition to the above two, children may be intrigued to notice that the rhyming words are done in a larger font in bright colors – perfect for print awareness. And if you need another reason to consider adding this book to your collection,
there is a wonderful STEM extension at the end of the book.
“Some bugs STING, some bugs BITE, Some bugs STINK, and some bugs FIGHT!” begins the text. (Make sure you hold your nose when you say “stink” while reading the text, and also emphasize
the rhyming words.) Following are delightful double page spreads, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel (or as the cover states – Bugs by Brendan Wenzel) describing all the different things bugs do. Listen to the awesome vocabulary presented midway in the text:
“Stinging, Biting, Stinking, Fighting, Hopping, Gliding, Swimming, Hiding, Building, Making, Hunting, Taking – bugs are oh-so-FASCINATING!” But the best part is when the narrator invites the reader to investigate their own backyard and see what bugs can be
found there. To help, there is a double-page spread identifying over 40 different kinds of bugs (also depicting Oskar the cat character.) This leads to a wonderful STEM activity where children can go outside and find bugs on their own. For libraries, this
would be a great summer reading activity!
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