How can we help with reading skills? Give readers a vocabulary feast!
The more vocabulary readers know, the easier it is to enjoy reading.
We see words in our everyday lives, not only in books. This is called “environmental print.”
But our brains tend to ignore words that are around us in everyday life.
Help readers notice these words. Read road signs, menus, words on boxes, cans, bags, and other things.
Label areas around the house: hallway, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, porch, front yard, back yard.
Label things around the house. You can put up basic labels like “chair.”
Or use more detailed labels about different kinds of things: armchair, dining chair, highchair, recliner, desk chair, rocking chair, folding chair, beanbag, couch/sofa.
Put up labels for things in a room, such as the kitchen: shelves, cupboards/cabinets, drawers, pans, toaster, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, sink, faucet, soap, dishwashing liquid, dish rack, drying mat, knives, cutting boards, coffee maker and so on.
Explain operating settings: For example, on a blender - point out and describe the settings: low, medium, high
Get a magnetic dishwasher sign: Dirty, Running, Clean, Empty
Find posters like teachers use in classrooms. Put the posters along the walls around the house at the child’s eye level. When a child shows interest, go up to the poster and chat about it with the child.
After teaching basic animal names you can give more detailed information: dog breeds or types of aquarium fish.
Use captions and subtitles for TV and movies. Pause sometimes to explain, if the learner is interested.
Explore cultural activities and festivals and help learners notice words they see at these events.
When a learner at a museum finds an interesting display, help them read the information about it.
Text each other from room to room on your phones, just for fun.
This next resource was recommended by Tawnya Autumn Edwards: Lifeprint.com ASL lessons by Bill Vicars (English vocabulary is on screen) Tawyna says: Dr. Vicars is funny, patient and has a ton of resources on this website. Good luck!