HOW TO HELP YOUR KINDERGARTENER
SIGHT WORDS FOR KINDERGARTEN
Students have learned all of their sight words! Sight words are VERY important for reading. Sight words are words that are frequently used that students should have memorized that they do not have to "think" about when they encounter them in a book.
Sight Words for Kindergarten (teachers will teach more than these 25 as students show readiness and move up in reading levels):
can
like
the
and
see
we
to
me
my
you
come
what
are
is
will
be
said
for
play
here
good
she
he
do
look
4 PILLARS OF READING
Accuracy
This pillar of reading is the most obvious. Students need to know HOW to read the words on the page. Your child's teacher is teaching them strategies for how to decode words. One of the most common strategies is to "sound it out" but that is not the only strategy. At this level, students rely on the pictures to help them decode the text. Parents are sometimes tempted to cover the picture to see if they are actually "reading". Do NOT do this. It is developmentally appropriate for them to be using the pictures. In fact, ENCOURAGE them to use the picture. If your child gets stuck on a word say, "Look at the first sound and get your mouth ready to say the sound. Now look at the picture." Once your child says a word say "Does that look right? Does it sound right?" Encourage your child's effort even if it is not the correct word. As a parent, do not let this become frustrating. If they are still having trouble, tell them the word, have them reread the sentence and move on. Your child's teacher is going into depth with this and you as a parent need to make sure reading is a pleasant experience at home. With this begin said, it is important that students are reading at home on their independent level as to not get frustrated. Buying a reader from a store is not necessarily reliable as far as how they level books. Collaborate with your child's teacher on this. This pillar of reading is the easiest place for a child to get frustrated and the best thing you can do is not push too hard and make reading enjoyable at home.
Reading Fluency
It is important for reading fluency that students know letters/sounds QUICKLY. At this point of the year, they should not have to be stopping and thinking about the letter. Students also need to know sight words quickly.
Sometimes it appears students have "memorized" books. This is not a bad thing. This helps build their confidence and fluency as a reader. Once a student has learned a new book and worked through strategies to figure it out, it is good for them to revisit it and re-read it.
Comprehension
While reading the words correctly is an important part of reading, it is not the ONLY part. It is important that students remember what they read (or what is being read to them). Whether your child is reading to you, or you are reading to your child, make sure to ask them to retell the story to you. Our kindergartners have been taught to retell the stories with detail using character names and giving the information in order. If you find your child is having a hard time with that, ask them "What happened at the beginning of the story?" What happened next?" "How did it end?" They can slowly begin to start adding more details with time. If your child is still having trouble, it is good to stop during the story and ask "What just happened?" "What do you think will happen next?" This teaches them to think about stories as they are being read. They are also being taught to make personal connections with the text. Ask them "Does this make you think of something that happened to you?" "How did this story make you feel?" "What did it make you think of?" This helps them build comprehension and understanding of the text.
Vocabulary
This is an important pillar of reading and one that is very easy to help out with at home. Vocabulary and reading go hand in hand. The best way to build your child's vocabulary is to read to them and have conversations. Answer their questions, ask them questions, and explore together. Also, giving them experiences enhances vocabulary. Going for a walk and talking about nature, bringing them in the kitchen while you cook, talking in the car, going to the zoo, etc... All of these things build a child's background knowledge and vocabulary. There is no APP or TV show that can replace time spent with YOU, REAL conversations, and SOCIAL interactions!
MATH
At this point of the year, students are working on applying their number skills to be able to solve addition and subtraction problems. They learn different strategies to solve these simple math problems and are also learning how to compare and contrast number concepts. The best way to help at home is to review the basics:
1) Count out loud to 100
2) Writing numbers 0-20 correctly
3) Creating sets of numbers to 20 and counting them while pointing and saying the number out loud
Social
It is very important that your child spends time with friends or siblings playing imaginary games, doing board games, playing outside, etc.. Though technology has some wonderful benefits, it can also have some serious consequences if not limited. Playing i-pads, smart phones, and video games do not build social skills. Children need to play in order to build vocabulary, learn how to share, how to lose, how to win, manners, how to resolve conflict, etc.. Children that do not have these experiences typically have a very hard time
Build Independence
If you have not already, start giving your child chores and responsibilities at home. Make sure they are in charge of putting their things away after school and putting their clothes and shoes in the appropriate place when they change. They need to start learning to tie their own shoes and open their own packages. Below is a list of age appropriate chores. Giving your children independence and responsibilities will help them be more confident and it will also help them realize that the world is bigger than themselves. Children naturally see the world as revolving around them at this age unless we start to teach them differently.
- Clear and set the table
- Carrying and putting away groceries.
- Helping out with dinner
- Help make the bed
- Pick up toys and books
- Take laundry to the laundry room.
- Help feed pets
- Help wipe up messes.
American Academy of Pediatricians Recommendations for Screentime
- For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
- For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
- For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
- Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
- Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.