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Reading Tools: The Dictionary


© Heather Goldsmith

Oct 27, 2001


As adults it's easy to overlook our ease in using the dictionary. For many the dictionary has become an indispensible tool for every day reading, yet we often neglect to enforce its value to our children. A good dictionary holds the answers to many of their questions and solutions to the endless word puzzles kids face every day. Understanding the English language is not a simple or easy thing to do. A dictionary is one tool that goes a long way towards demystify the tangle of words and phrases used in common speech and written language. Yet, learning to use a dictionary can be a skill in itself. A skill sadly lacking in many children.

A dictionary is like a box of plastic building blocks. The kind you buy as a basic or a starter kit for your kids when they're first learning how to put things together. Of course, a dictionary is more complicated, but the principle is the same. Contained in both are the base ingredients to build. The plastic blocks for building wondrous creations from their imagination and the dictionary to build conversation and knowledge of words. These might be letters from loved ones, stories, poems, songs and books in general of every kind. Although blocks are a lot easier to use than a dictionary, a child learns to find the right block to fit the idea of their creative construction by sifting through each of the shapes and colours.

A child learns to sort through a dictionary for understanding new and difficult words as they encounter them. If you don't already have a child friendly dictionary in your home, it might be a great time to examine why it's an absolute necessity for your child's reading development. Not every child finds learning words and reading a natural experience. Encourage your child to use a dictionary often. If your child sees you using one, they'll think it natural to consult one when they have difficulty understanding a word. Helping them gain familiarity with a dictionary might take time and patience for each of you, but it's a skill worth time learning and learning well.

The alphabet is the master key when it comes to using a dictionary. If your child lacks strong knowledge of the pattern of the alphabet, they may find dictionaries simply another area of frustration with reading. By knowledge of the pattern of the alphabet I mean order. A child should understand where letters belong and be able to sort their order. Songs and reciting the alphabet are fine as a base to knowing the letters, but your child needs to know what place each letter has in relation to the others. If they are looking up a word beginning with c they need to understand that letter will be in the early pages, m or p in the centre and w and x on the last pages of the dictionary. It may sound simple, but this is not an obvious thing to many new readers.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   Nov 6, 2001 9:34 PM
In response to message posted by colleenmwilliams:

Hi Colleen,
Thanks for the confidence boost. There's times I need it. ;-) ...

-- posted by bwheather
1.   Nov 6, 2001 5:37 PM
Your column should be required reading for Reading Methods' students everywhere. Keep up the great work.

-- posted by colleenmwilliams



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