GEAR UP FOR LIFE

WRITING PRACTICE: Child Development

RETURN TO: Child Development Passage

SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IN
READING | WRITING | MATH | PROJECT | FUN

Look at these sentences from the reading.

• Two things affect a baby’s development: nature and nurture.     

• The parents can be his role models; he will think and act as they do.

• Parents can explain things to a child; each culture has different things they value or condemn.

One sentence has a colon (:). 

In brief, a colon is like an equals sign.    

Two things affect a baby’s development = nature and nurture.

The other two have semi-colons (;).

A semi-colon is like a period.                            

The parents can be his role models.  He will think and act as they do.

                        _______________________________

Practice Exercise One

Go to the Writing Mentor if you need more help with colons and semi-colons.     
  

Write either a colon (:) or a semi-colon (;) in the blank for each of the following.

1. I love fruit   apples, grapes, bananas, and oranges.

 2. The boys were the best of friends   they spent most of their time together.

 3. Parents wonder why a very young child uses bad words   they should listen to themselves when they talk.

 4. My dog Jackson Lee isn’t a good guard dog    he is afraid of everything.

 5. My dog Jackson Lee is afraid of everything   loud noises, dark shadows, tiny mice.

 6. Children love to listen to stories   they often want to hear the same story again and again.

 7. My little grandson loves music   he dances with his Teddy bear as he sings to him.

 8. There is one main cause for our poor crops   the drought!

 9. This country is losing its independence because of one thing   oil.

 10. The doctors decided that Maria was terribly allergic to three things   strawberries, plums and peanuts.

CLICK here for answers.

Writing Assignment

Your sister’s two-year-old refuses to be potty trained. This is her first child, and she doesn’t know what to do.  Write a short letter giving her some tips.  Explain whether you believe this is a serious problem or not.  

When you finish your writing, sign and date it, and place it in your portfolio for your facilitator.

SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IN
READING | WRITING | MATH | PROJECT | FUN