March 2020

English Parent Reading Guide

Dear Parents:
While reading Ranger Rick Jr. you and your child can learn animal sounds and play games. Here are two examples from this month’s magazine.

Learn About Animal Sounds
Laugh “he, he, he” as you point to one of the hyenas on page 22. Then read that hyenas can sound like people laughing. You can listen to a real hyena by using your cell phone to scan the QR Code below.

What sounds do other animals make? Turn to page 27 and make the barking sound “arf, arf, arf” before reading that zebras bark like a dog. Then turn to page 10 and ask your child what sound the bighorn sheep would make when butting horns? Slap your hands together and loudly say, “BAM.”

Can your child think of any other animal sounds? (A leopard’s roar. A bird chirping. The clop, clop of a horse walking.)

Play a Game
Bonnie and Chester play Simon Says in the comic on page 23. Ask your child if he understands how the game is played, and then play the game using the magazine. Playing Simon Says is a fun way to teach your child to listen to instructions.

Start playing by saying, “Simon says turn to page 22 and name the animal.” Your child should turn back one page and say, “hyena.”  Next say, “Find the baby elephant on page 24.” If your child does not turn the page and says, “You did not say Simon says,” you know that he has been listening and knows how to play the game.

Now ask your child to tell you to do something. If he starts with “Simon says,” do what he asks. When he does not start with “Simon says,” ask him why you are not able to do what he asked.

Have fun with your child learning about animals in Ranger Rick Jr.

Mike Wilson, Founder
Prekindergarten Reading Encouragement Project
PREP – Helping childhood literacy one family at a time.
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