Being able to recognize and make up rhyming words is essential to child literacy and child language development. Slim and Miss Prim is a witty example of a child poem, very useful in helping your child with rhyming words.

Building Familiarity and Text Structure:
Read the story through slowly, taking time to explain unfamiliar words and phrases. Study the pictures carefully and point out details to him, especially facial expressions on the people and animals in the story. Point out the rhythm of the story, and call attention to some of the rhyming words and phrases.

Discussing:
Talk about the story as you read it. Ask, "Why do you think Slim said that Marigold's talking wasn't bad? Why do you think he sang love songs as he rode? Do you think Slim's singing voice was very good? Why (or why not)?"

Rhyming:
After reading the story together a few times, she will be able to fill in a rhyming word when you leave it out, as in "With prairie dogs barking and hawks high above, Slim played his guitar and sang songs of ____(love)." Say, "Which of these words on this page do not rhyme with the others -- day, stay, May, or free?" Think of other words that rhyme with Slim and Prim - such as Jim, trim, and swim. Say, "Let's have a snack that rhymes with please. Can you tell me what it is? (cheese)."

Following Up:
Make up rhyming puzzles for your meal. "For dinner we will have the rhymes of leaf, slice, sees, and parrots. What are we having? (Beef, rice, peas, and carrots)." Your child will begin to incorporate the elements of the story into his play, and encourage him to do so.