Letter Knowledge
Point out words on signs. Throughout the story, there are numerous trucks and signs with logos and words on them. Point out the words or letters on the vehicles and signs. For example, on the first page of the story, you might point to and read the sign 鈥淛im鈥檚 Diner鈥 and tell your child that Jim鈥檚 Diner is the name of the restaurant that this family owns. Point out the CLOSED sign on the door of the restaurant and talk about how the family is coming to open their restaurant. On the next page, bring your child鈥檚 attention to the little boy changing the sign to say OPEN. By pointing out the signs and the words on them, you help your child to understand that words carry messages and meaning, an important print awareness concept.听
As you read each page, you might also point out the first letter of your child鈥檚 name when you come across it.听 聽 聽
Oral Language
Introduce new vocabulary. You might go to a children鈥檚 dictionary to find simple definitions to share with your child. For example, the Merriam-Webster definition for 鈥渟izzle鈥 is to make a hissing sound like the sound water makes when it hits hot metal. Model a hissing sound for sizzling and ask your child to imitate you. Another vocabulary example might be the word 鈥渨hooshing.鈥 The Merriam-Webster definition for whooshing is the sound made by something that is moving quickly. Make a 鈥渨hooshing鈥 sound and ask your child to imitate you.
