An important element of early literacy and reading readiness is vocabulary, shown to help with comprehension and fluency. Mailing May is a piece of child historical fiction literature, based on a true story, that will help your child learn new words related to a past era. Read the book together, looking carefully at the old photos, the vintage stove, oil lamps, and store shelves. Explain that these items were in use before electricity was installed in houses. Talk about how things would be different-people did not have cars, planes, or buses to travel on, they would need big quilts to keep them warm at night because the stove was not in the bedroom, and wages were very different in 1914 than they are now. Talk about visiting relatives, something that children have always loved to do and always will. Some of the wonderful words that you will be introducing to her are listed below. Try to use these words in conversation several times and encourage him to do the same.

New Vocabulary:

Beeline - went straight there without any delays

Slogged - walked heavily, as in slushy conditions

Commenced - started

Pa's little traveling bag, valise -- a suitcase

Flabbergasted - very confused; not sure what is happening

Permissible - it is allowed

Poultry - chicken, turkey, geese, duck, etc.

Boar hog - a male pig

A trip to the local post office will never be the same after reading this adventuresome book with your child!

Take me back to the Child Literature Activity Series.

Take me back to the PreKorner™ focus section for more resources related to Early Childhood Literacy and Reading Readiness.

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Read these brief research overviews on proven instructional components in an effective early literacy program.

Research Précis Edition 01-1 deals with basic information related to phonemes and phonemic awareness. Edition 01-2 describes the general components of the Pre-K Guidelines, still in a state of change in 2005.

The importance of children's work with sounds and other oral aspects of language in reading continues well past the preschool years. Take a look ahead to our K-12 LearningLeads™ article Improving Reading Comprehension: Making the Oral Reading Connection in the Early Grades for a preview of some of the instructional strategies and expectations that should await your children in the K-2 years.

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If this is your first time to visit the PreKorner™, or if it has been awhile, be sure to take a look at the PreKorner™ homepage and the Early Childhood Literacy overview page while you are here. If you teach or are interested in K-12 teaching and learning, go to LearningLeads™ to browse similar resources.