Take a walk with your child. Talk about the things you see, using and defining new words. “That tree has big roots. Roots are the things that attach the tree to the ground, so it doesn’t topple or fall over.”

The more words children hear, the more words they learn. Building a big vocabulary will help your child learn to read. Share new words with your child by describing details about the things you see and do together. “Look how twisted those roots are.” Explain what these new words mean and encourage your child to use the new words herself. “Can you think of other things that are twisted?.”