What Dictionary To Buy For My Child?

"What Dictionary To Buy For My Child" is one of the most frequently asked question in our Facebook group for parents with school going children.

Other FAQs on Dictionary include

• Which is better? e-dictionary or traditional dictionary?
• What dictionary to buy for SJKC kid?
• Can you recommend a good dictionary for Std 1, Std 2 and so on
• Do schools require a print dictionary? If so, what do you recommend?
• Can you recommend a good Chinese/BM/bilingual/trilingual dictionary?

There are many more FAQs like that in our group. It's a good thing too because parents realize that it is important to build up their children's vocabulary when learning languages. The best way to do that is with a dictionary.

Things you should note when looking for a dictionary and comparing between electronic or traditional dictionary.

1. Most schools currently do not allow children to bring e-dictionaries to school. It is expensive and may be stolen. It sometimes is loaded with some mini games which can be distracting to a student
2. Some teachers will recommend parents to buy traditional book dictionaries. The reason why teachers prefer traditional dictionaries is because they want children to have the skill to learn how to look up words in a dictionary. When you use a book dictionary to look up words, it will improve your spelling and lead you to learn more new words.

Traditional Dictionaries vs Electronic Dictionaries

While online digital dictionaries are gaining traction, a good print dictionary is still important in many classrooms and homes. Finding words in an alphabetical order helps with a child’s spelling. In addition, print dictionaries do not have ads! A child will be more focused and engaged in his learning when using print dictionaries

Children Dictionaries Vs Adult Dictionaries

Here's a tip! When buying dictionaries for students, you should look for children's dictionaries. For example, the Oxford dictionaries for children are compiled specially for children. They have age-appropriate entries that are not just abridge versions of adult dictionaries.

Children will benefit most from a dictionary that is specially written with an understanding of where they are in their development, and entries in the dictionary include the kind of language they will understand and can relate to. It will include terms they encounter at school that adults rarely have to use. 

Parents are doing the right thing in asking questions before buying dictionaries because the importance of choosing the right dictionary cannot be overstated.

This post was brought to you by Oxford Fajar Malaysia.

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