The large colorful pictures and limited words in this book make it a great choice to help toddlers build their vocabularies. Dinosaur Roar! will grow with your child as you introduce her to the concepts of rhyme and opposites.
Before, During and After Reading
Oral Language
Show your child the cover of the book and tell her the title, author and illustrator. Ask her what she sees, and what she thinks the story will be about. You might say:
The title of this book is “Dinosaur Roar.” The authors are Paul and Henrietta Stickland. They wrote all the words in the book.
Look at the front cover of this book. What do you see?
If your child doesn’t respond, you can model an answer for her. You might say:
I see a great big dinosaur. Look at the big scary teeth. Can you show me your teeth? I also see a little bitty dinosaur. Can you touch the little bitty dinosaur?
I think this book is going to be all about dinosaurs! Let’s open it and find out.
Oral Language
Encourage your child to participate as you read the story. You might say:
‘Dinosaur roar’. Can you make a really loud roar? ‘Dinosaur squeak.’ Make a teeny tiny squeak.
If your child doesn’t make the sounds, that’s okay. Just model the sounds for her and see if she will imitate you.
Beginning Writing
Draw an outline of a dinosaur on a large piece of paper. Give your child some crayons and ask her to color the big dinosaur. Color the picture along with her and talk about what you both are doing.
You might say:
You’re coloring the tail of the dinosaur a bright green. I’m going to color the feet yellow. I think we’ll have to put our pretty picture on the refrigerator for everyone to see.
Keep the fun going with these At-Home Activities:
Use Pointer Pal to point to different body parts on the dinosaurs. You might say:
Look! Pointer Pal is pointing to the dinosaur’s eye. Can you point to your eye? Pointer Pal is showing the dinosaur’s big teeth. Where are your teeth?
Continue with other body parts as long as your toddler remains interested.
Add some toy dinosaurs to the sand for your toddler to find as she digs for letters.
Re-read the story as you talk through a paper towel tube. Change the tone, pitch and speed of your voice (e.g., high/low, loud/soft, fast/slow).
Find more recommended children’s books for toddlers 12 to 17 months, or find an easy at-home activity designed to strengthen pre-reading skills in your toddler.
