Choosing an e-dictionary for your child

When I was still very young, I was very excited about having my own dictionary. I can recall how eager I was to know the meaning of English words. When I got a dictionary as a gift for my birthday, I greedily read every word from A to Z. Though I didn’t memorize all the words, I became familiar with English words and their spellings which helped me learn the language more easily as I grew up and advanced in my studies.

A dictionary is indeed one of the essential things any child will use in his or her developmental learning years. If you are supportive of your kid’s education then you should consider getting a dictionary to facilitate the learning endeavors of your child. Because of technological advancements, parents nowadays are priviliged to have access to an electronic dictionary which can readily provide the features that will meet the needs of any child or adult. If you plan to purchase an e-dictionary for your child, here are some tips in choosing the best.

1. Know the purpose of buying an e-dictionary. Determining the purpose of such gadget will ensure that you are buying for a worthwhile cause. This is one of the basic things you have to consider. If you wanted to give an e-dictionary to your child, you need to know the nature of learning in the instituion where your child is enrolled so that you know the actual needs of your child and buy one that will meet those needs. Not only that, you also need to be aware of the future usage of your e-dictionary so that your child can utilize it even he or she goes to a higher level of learning.

2. What features does your child needs. There are many features to consider in an e-dictionary. This includes word capacity, grammar check and spell check capabilities, current English version, filter search, history functions, quick view, pronunciation guide and all others that will make your child become interested with and learn new English words. You may choose an e-dictionary with around 3,000 words or an e-dictionary with around 30,000 words. If you consider its future use, you can also choose an e-dictionary with 60,000 words or more for advance studies. Choose an e-dictionary with a reference like the New Oxford American Dictionary which utilizes the most current english version. It must be capable of grammar and spell check and a filter search which will allow you to quickly find words by typing only a few letters. It must also have history functions to find previous searches, can provide a quick view of a line of definition of every word for easy scanning, can also provide different font sizes for better visuals. It must also have an interactive rhyme finder and pronunciation which will help kids to improve their vocabulary and pronunciation skills. There should also be a personal spelling word list. It would also be a bonus if it is equipped with fun educational games to make kids eve more interested in learning.

3. Consider your budget. It is very much important to look at how much you can afford to spend for an e-dictionary. The cost will help you decide on what features you should consider and not consider at all. Compare prices among the available e-dictionaries in the market and find out where you can get a good deal for the best e-dictionary you can get.

4. Search for the best e-dictionary based on market research and customer reviews online. There are many e-dictionaries available online with its detailed features presented. Try to visit different sites which provide a handful of information about an electronic dictionary that you wish to purchase. However, you should not purchase it unless you have carefully weighed the advantages and disadvantages of such e-dictionary.

These are only a few essential information so that you may be able to purchase an electronic dictionary that will be best for your child and for you. So go, make that intelligent choice.

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Written by

Karen Mira

e-dictionary