Helping Your Child Learn Proper Punctuation Usage

First and second graders are beginning to learn about proper punctuations for sentence structure. As parents we want to see our children succeed in all their learning. So to help your child to catch on quickly to proper punctuations give them plenty of opportunity at home to practice in a fun way . These suggestions are targeted to teaching your child what punctuation belongs at the end of what type of sentence.

Punctuation Memory:

This is a game I play with both my first grader and my second grader and it has helped a lot. To make the game you will need to create cards that have sentences on them. Make the sentence cards consist of sentences that will end in exclamation marks , periods, and question marks. Now create an equal amount of cards that have only a period, exclamation point or question mark on them. Make a series of rows with your sentence cards face down, then make a second series of rows with your punctuation marks face down.

To play have your child flip one from the sentence rows over and then one from the punctuation rows over. Ask your child if that punctuation goes with that type of sentence. If it does they get to keep the cards and if it doesn't they flip them back over and the game play goes to the next player. Play the game out like a normal memory game.

Letter to the Mail Man:

This one is fun for young learners who are in the first grade and can be a little fun for even a second grader. Tell your child to sit down and write a letter to the mail man. Let them write about anything they want to write about. Encourage them to use proper punctuations at the end of their sentences. When they are down writing check your child's letter over and circle any punctuation errors that you see. Then with a clean piece of paper have your child rewrite the letter. This allows your child the chance to get in practice in a fun way. When they are done just put the letter in an envelope and mail to Grandma. She will surely love seeing her grandchild's creativity.

Little Reporter:

Tell your child to pick a family member to interview. Have your child thing of questions to ask the person that he or she is going to interview. Your child should write these questions out. Then have him or her interview the person they have chosen. Remind your child that a good reporter uses proper punctuations at the end of their sentences. This is a great way to make learning interactive. Not only will your child get a chance to work on their punctuations but they will learn something about the person they are interviewing also.

There are countless things that as parents, we can do to help our children learn. The above suggestions are just a starting point as to the things you can do. Change the suggestions above around to keep them fresh and interesting for your child, find other games on your own or just keep repeating the above suggestions with your child. No matter what just make sure you get involved.