Margaret Newton Elementary – From the Principal’s Desk

This week I want to encourage everyone to read! Read to a child, with a child, and listen to a child read to you. They hear the fluency of your voice and inflections in what you are reading. It’s ok if you read their favorite book over and over again! Play games with chants and movements such as “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Pat-acake” or other nursery rhymes.
This encourages children to learn and make rhymes.
Positional words describe the position of people or objects. As adults we use these words daily without thinking much about it; it comes naturally. But our young learners need extra practice that you can do at home or in the car.
Below are a few positional words or phrases:
above
after
around
before
beginning
behind
below
beside
between
bottom
down
end
far
finish
front
in
inside
left
middle
near
next to
off
on
out
outside
over
right
start
through
top
under
up
upside down
As a parent or grandparent or any adult, we give young children directions all the time. Next time you are giving directions, just focus on the positional word and how your child follows directions. When
a child is cleaning his/her room, instruct him/her to put clothes “in” the drawer, “beside” the table, “under” the table, “on top of” the dresser, etc. Incorporate these words into your everyday conversations with your child. Using these positional words will build your child’s vocabulary which leads to better reading comprehension.
There are several books that you can read to your child that will help teach positional words.
*Rosie’s Walk
*Where’s Spot?
*Up & Down
*Bear Hunt (This is my
personal favorite!)
Games to Play:
*Treasure Hunt
*Hot and Cold
*Pin the Tail on the Donkey
*Simon Says (using positional
words)
*I Spy