As a teacher and children’s author, the start of school year to me is all about understanding the children; what are their interests; learning styles (i.e., auditory, visual, concrete, etc.); what they know and skills to strengthen.
Use my kids book, Xway, Xway and the Giant Red Cedar, to know your child better.
Each page has a helpful question that relates to the skill that can be strengthened. However, there is so much more you can learn about your child along the way!
The beauty of my children’s books and activities is that it can be introduced in parts with a wholesome lesson plan.
Take for example, the sample above of Pg. 3 of my kids book, Xway Xway and the Giant Red Cedar...There is no right or wrong way to strengthen the children's skills and it will depend on their understanding. Also how you introduce the questions will depend on the type of learner the child favours. A visual learner will respond well to questions asked while reading the book whilst others will need more engagement like my examples below:
For a concrete learner, collect a variety of items including berries, mushrooms and sunflower seed.
Ask, “What do you like to eat?” or allow them to taste something they have never tried before, perhaps sunflower.
Extend by asking about colour, taste and texture. Alternatively, count the sunflower seeds (Math) or cut different types of mushrooms (Fine motor skills).
Inferential comprehension refers to things you know and can name from experience. For example., a child may know what a chicken or duck looks like but may not know what the bird on Pg. 3 is.
Prompts like which bird have you eaten before, chicken, turkey or duck? And then asking, “Do you know the name of this bird? (Pointing to the Grouse on Pg. 3) would not only expand knowledge but also allow for dialogue and gauging an auditory learners expressive skills. Enhance the experience by singing related songs, comparing feathers or cooking a variety eggs (e.g. chicken, duck, quail, etc.) in different ways.
Make anecdotal notes of your observations periodically to build a continuing record of your child’s progress and to understand and nurture the development of skills.
Stay tuned for my next blog for an early development checklist.
For more free worksheets, free activities and my children's book and activities check my blogs at www.kidsquest.ca
Children's Author: Zulebia Esmail