If you really want to help your child, you should reread these books too. When your child enters junior high (grades 7th and 8th), they will start reading some of the literary classics. Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension (7th and 8th) Also, if you find a word that you think is challenging, but is not highlighted ask your child what the word means. Try to use these words with your child to help them fully assimilate the word into their active vocabulary. Then go back through the books they are reading and see what words they highlighted. Encourage your child to come to you when they don't know a word's meaning.Įncourage your child to get in the habit of highlighting words that are new to them. Encourage your child to look up these words also you should be available as a resource for word definitions. Highlight words that you think might be more challenging for your child. Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension (4th through 6th)Īs your child starts to read more advanced books (4th through 6th) you can help your child immensely by skimming through the book and looking for advanced vocabulary words. Taking note of word meaning is critical to helping your child develop his or her reading comprehension skills. This will get your child in the habit of making sure they think of word definitions and meaning in addition to pronunciation. Ask your child what different words mean. As you do this, be sure to stop and evaluate words. Initially, you will read to your child as well as having your child read back to you. Your responsibilities for assisting your child's reading and comprehension will change as they progress through grade school. Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension (Grades 1st through 3rd) This is reading, but not necessarily comprehension. Too often children think reading is simply reading aloud the words they see on a page. The secret to success is making sure your child is comprehending what he or she is reading. The bottom line is that reading is still the best way for your child to develop his or her vocabulary. The Importance of Reading AND Comprehension There are a number of ways you can encourage your child's vocabulary development, but the most important and effective is through reading and comprehension.

Make sure your child has the requisite tools for success in grade school and beyond. With these tools, we have no limitations. Without these tools we are limited in our abilities. Words are how we communicate words are what we use to comprehend new information and words are what we use to communicate our understanding of new information and finally words are what we use to communicate our ideas. The data is irrefutable your child's success in grade school, high school, college and later in his or her career is dependent almost entirely on vocabulary.

& LEARN > PARENT RESOURCES Encouraging Your Child's Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension Skills

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