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10/30/2021

How to Improve Your Child's Vocabulary in Seven Easy Steps

In a Nutshell

Boosting a child's vocabulary can be done in a variety of ways at home if you're worried about it.

Learning new terms helps students' reading and academic performance.

Playing games and using new words can assist your child in expanding his or her vocabulary.

When it comes to reading, being able to grasp words is crucial. For children who learn and think in different ways, this means that spending more time learning, rehearsing, and understanding words help them do better on reading comprehension tests.

Consider implementing some of these at-home teaching strategies to help your child's vocabulary grow.

Give an explanation of the word.

For each new word, give a brief explanation. Consider teaching your child the word merchant, which is seen frequently in social studies textbooks for children in the upper elementary level. You can discuss your town's local businesses with your child. What kind of shops and establishments can one find in your city? What products do they have for sale?

Say it however you want.

It's helpful to ask kids to come up with their own definitions of new words after you've described them. When your kid or daughter hears how happy you are to have such a wonderful family, they may say how fortunate they feel to have the most recent video game in their possession!

Make a show of it.

Your child's understanding of a term will improve if you act it out for him. This is especially useful if your child is a hyperactive runner. You may bring new words to life by leaping around like a puppy, goat, or lamb, for example. Instead of staying indoors, why not take the good times outside? Play in the backyard, garden, or on the street.

Make a quick sketch.

Grab a pencil and a piece of paper. Draw a short picture of what the new word means without using any actual words. If you want to illustrate the term "reluctant," you could depict a person standing on the brink of a pool with only one toe in the water. a huge bowl of broccoli with a frowning face might be drawn by your picky eater

Look into it.

Introduce common prefixes, suffixes, and roots to your child. The prefix multi-, for example, denotes a large number, while the ending -less denotes a lack. Geology gets its name from the root word "geo," which means earth. It's important for kids to learn these patterns so they may better understand word meanings and concepts.

Create a narrative.

Ask your youngster to take on the role of an author and come up with a story using a list of new terms. Your youngster must utilize all of the terms correctly in order to do well. To turn a list of words into a story, you'll need some creativity. Encourage your youngster to use their imagination and to have a good time while doing it.

Say it to my face once, and I'll believe it twice...

Make frequent use of the newly acquired word. If the term essential is used, you might have a conversation about what is vital to bring on a camping trip or about what is necessary to be happy. A simple chore chart can help your youngster remember to take the dog for a walk, do his or her homework, and set the table for dinner.

10/29/2021

How to convince your children to wash their teeth in five interesting ways

Remove the "sugar bugs" by sweeping. Playing a game where you have to beat the clock. Putting on a show of mirth. My husband and I came up with several amusing but practical techniques to get our two girls enthused about brushing and flossing their teeth. Our efforts have paid off, and the kids are now excited to visit the dentist and show off their healthy smiles.

Teaching excellent oral hygiene to children can be a daily struggle for many parents. Experts, on the other hand, say it's a battle worth having. For children aged 6 to 19, cavities remain the most frequent chronic disease despite their being largely preventable, according to CDC data. Everything from speech delays to dental pain and infections to diabetes has been linked to poor oral hygiene.

Aetna's chief dental officer, Mary Lee Conicella, DMD, says, "We know that oral health is intimately linked to overall health." Dental education and care can help children stay healthy throughout their lives if provided early on.

Here are five easy methods to get your youngster excited about brushing and flossing as a regular part of his or her day.

Start taking care of your dental health from a young age.

It's never too early to get your child into the habit of cleaning and flossing their teeth before bed. As early as the first tooth, dentists advise parents to get their children started on dental care. Wipe your baby's gums every night with a soft, damp towel while they're still young. As soon as their teeth start to erupt (about 6 months of age), switch to a toothbrush and begin flossing (typically around age 2 or 3). No matter how many teeth your child has, you should take them to the dentist by the time they turn one. (Easy mindfulness techniques will alleviate any anxiety you might have in the days leading up to your visit.) Consult with your dentist about the advantages of having a biannual checkup.

Be a role model for others.

Teaching excellent dental hygiene starts with an example, therefore lead by example yourself. In the words of Allena Willis Kennerly, DMD, owner of Smashing Smiles Orthodontics in Washington, D.C., "a youngster emulates whatever a parent is doing. When your youngster sees you flossing, she's more likely to do it herself, according to the research. You may make brushing with your child more entertaining by acting as though you're a mirror and encouraging him or her to mimic your every move.

Make brushing your teeth a contest.

Regardless of your age, cleaning your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time is recommended by dentists for good oral health. That's because, according to Conicella, research suggests that brushing for a longer time removes more plaque. Help them reach the two-minute mark by playing one of these fun games:
During the commercials, use a toothbrush to clean your teeth. To keep your youngster engaged during the commercials, have him or her brush one quadrant of their mouth every 30 seconds. Kennerly claims that after they're done, their show will be back on the air. Turn the TV off at least 30 minutes before bedtime to help you sleep better.
Set a timer for a certain amount of time. Then, turn over an egg-filled timer and have them keep brushing it until the sand has all fallen out. Alternatively, you can get your kid a two-minute toothbrush that plays music or blinks.
Play a tune they like. Brush DJ, a free app that plays music from your library for two minutes while reminding you to brush twice a day, floss, use mouthwash, and go to the dentist, enables you to do all of this while listening to music from your library.
Provide rewards for good behavior. What kid wouldn't want to be in charge of picking the next movie for family night or be allowed to stay up a few minutes later at bedtime? Encourage your child to brush their pearly teeth for two minutes by offering a small reward or developing a chart of rewards. Don't forget to compliment them on their wonderful technique or sparkling teeth when you're finished.

Make up a narrative and tell it.

There was a time when Callie Rae McCarthy had to beg and plead with her two and four-year-old children to brush their teeth. However, the children in Bloomfield, New Jersey, opened their mouths wide when their mother claimed that there were creatures in their teeth. Now, each night, the kids get to pick which animal they want to chase with a toothbrush and the darts all over their teeth and tongue. Finally, she offers the brushes to the children and instructs them to complete the game. This is what we want with everything, isn't it? "They laugh and chuckle," she replies.

Reluctant brushers are more likely to participate if you use a relatable tool, such as a tale. You can also let your youngster practice brushing the teeth of their plush animal or read an age-appropriate book about dental hygiene.

Make sure you have the proper equipment.

For children with little hands, brushing and flossing can be a chore. For children, use toothbrushes that resemble little circles to ensure proper brushing technique, such as those designed for toddlers, as well as flossers without sharp edges and power toothbrushes. Kennerly claims that small children lack physical dexterity. When it comes to removing plaque, "a power toothbrush gives kids an extra kick." Before letting your child use one, let them feel the whirling motion of the bristles on the palm of their hand. Allow your youngster to choose out a toothbrush and a flavor of toothpaste that they prefer as well.

To guarantee your child has a lifelong habit of care for their teeth, establish a pleasant and engaging daily routine at home. Parent-owned Montclair Pediatric Dental Care in New Jersey dentist Tyra Manso, DDS, says brushing and flossing should be "fun, straightforward, and pain-free." Children will feel unclean if they don't brush and floss regularly if the habit is instilled in them from an early age.

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