Tips For Parents:

Phonological Knowledge: 

-Continue to work on letters and the sounds they make
-Share books together
-Encourage your child to write about something simple

Semantic Knowledge:

-Choose books with one theme so that children can learn vocabulary that all fall in a particular category
-Play synonyms games by asking “what is another word for ______”
-Label items around the house so they can make connections

Syntactic Knowledge:

– Provide lots of opportunity for writing. Ask them to write about something simple, like your family pet or their time at the park.
– Read their writing along with them. Allow them to explain what they are writing and correct any grammatical errors.

Morphemic Knowledge:

-Work on using past and present tense. Model this correctly for them.
-Start adding -er or -est to root words

Pragmatic Knowledge:

-When telling stories, use the correct language and tone that the character would use in that context
-Role play some of their favorite books
-Use lots of pretend play

Books & Activities:

Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse: This is a great book for kindergarteners as they start school. The text contains more complex language and sentences which is a great model for enhancing vocabulary and grammar. It’s characters and plot are very relatable.

Activities: Discuss How Lily spoke to her teacher, talk about how she could have spoken to him differently. Have your child come up with other words that start with P. Have them write an apology letter similar to the one Lily writes to her teacher.

Chrysanthemum: This book has many of the same great qualities as Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. It also introduces some things they might not have experienced before like bullies.

Activities: Talk about why Chrysanthemum was upset in the story. How could her peers handled themselves differently and how would they have spoken? Chrysanthemum is a type of flower, talk about other types of flowers. Have them use descriptive words to discuss these. Encourage your child to put themselves in the main characters shoes, ask them to tell you how the character might have felt in the story.

Flotsam: Flotsam is a book with only illustrations. The book is filled with large pictures and create a wordless story of a fantasy world and is a great way for children to use their imagination!

Activities: Allow your child to create their own words for the story. Have them describe the characters, setting, feelings, etc. Assist them as they write out their ideas. Ask them to point to things they might not know what they are, label these for them.