First Thousand Words in Japanese
Usborne First Thousand Words Series
What’s inside...
This book features large, engaging pictures for observation and discussion, accompanied by small, labeled images of 1000 common items to enhance Japanese vocabulary. It includes a comprehensive alphabetical word list. Additionally, it provides various learning opportunities such as early reading, spelling, and dictionary usage. Foreign language editions come with dictionaries and phonetic pronunciation guides, and some editions also offer online pronunciation guides.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What new Japanese word did you learn today, and what does it mean?
Can you describe a picture in the book using one of the Japanese words we’ve learned?
How do you think knowing these words might help you if you visited Japan?
Which word was the most fun to say and why?
Did any word in Japanese remind you of a word in our language?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use flashcards to help your child remember words. Show them the word in Japanese and ask what it means.
Connect the words to real life by using them during daily routines, like mealtimes, to reinforce learning.
Encourage your child to teach someone else in the family the words they have learned. This reinforces their knowledge and builds confidence.
Create a fun quiz based on the words in the book to make learning interactive and exciting.
Praise your child’s efforts to learn and use new words, regardless of their pronunciation, to keep them motivated and engaged.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Language Acquisition
Explanation: This book introduces basic Japanese words through vibrant illustrations and simple labelling, making it engaging for children.
Real-World Application: Children can use the vocabulary they learn to communicate simple ideas in Japanese, fostering early language skills.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: Each page includes items and scenes that are characteristic of Japanese culture, providing a visual basis for cultural education.
Real-World Application: Children can recognize and appreciate cultural differences and similarities, promoting inclusivity and understanding from a young age.
Example Lesson: Memory Enhancement
Explanation: Repetition of words alongside colorful pictures helps reinforce memory through visual learning.
Real-World Application: This method of learning can be applied to other areas of education, enhancing overall memory retention capabilities.
Example Lesson: Cognitive Development
Explanation: Matching words with pictures stimulates cognitive links between visual cues and language.
Real-World Application: This practice can improve problem-solving skills and enhance cognitive development in real-world scenarios.
Example Lesson: Parent-Child Bonding
Explanation: The interactive nature of the book encourages parents to engage with their children as they learn together.
Real-World Application: This shared activity can strengthen relationships and improve communication skills between parents and children.