Does Your Kindergartner Struggle with Beginning Reading Skills?
Ball Begins With B!
The Cow That Went OINK
Cora loves the smells and sounds of cooking in the kitchen! Her Mama cooks delicious Filipino food while her older siblings help by slicing vegetables and stirring noodles. When she gets her chance to help Mama in the kitchen, Cora does a great job, impressing her family with the pancit dish that was Grandpa’s recipe.
Oral Language
Introduce the book to your child. Read aloud the title of the book, sweeping your finger under the words as you read the title, the author and the illustrator. Talk about the jobs of the author and the illustrator. Encourage your child to talk about what she sees on the cover of the book and ask her what she thinks Cora is doing. Pancit, a Filipino noodle dish, may be an unfamiliar word; the story will go into more detail about what it is and how to make it.
Oral Language
Discuss what you read and see. The story follows Cora and her desire to help Mama in the kitchen. As it unfolds, the book connects Cora to the history and traditions of her family. Talk about family stories, recipes and other traditions — some may even be the same as in Cora’s family. Talk about the illustrations and ask your child if she can identify things she sees on the page.
Names of Filipino foods and other Filipino words are italicized. A glossary near the end of the book provides explanations and pronunciation tips.
Beginning Writing
Imagine if the cat was the one trying to express herself to the dog and that the story was called Meow: A Love Story. If she were to also use music to communicate to the dog, what instrument would she play and how would the dog react? Would any of the other animals, like the squirrels or birds, be able to help? Give your child some paper and crayons, colored pencils and/or markers. Ask him to draw and/or write out the story as he would imagine it. If your child needs it, help him write words and his name on the paper. Once he’s finished, encourage him to share his story.
Looking for more ways to help strengthen your child's beginning writing skills?
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Explore other recommended children's books and reading activities for five-year-olds, or take the Nemours Children’s Reading BrightStart! Preschool Reading Screener. The screener can help you determine if your child is on the path to reading readiness and provides a free plan for moving forward.