There is no denying the fact that early literacy is one of the key predictors of future academic success of kids.
Early literacy is possible only if children have basic understanding of the words and their meaning. That is what makes it imperative to focus on ways to build vocabulary of kids.
After all, it is the language that helps us understand and communicate. Remember Dr. Seuss famous quote:
What makes language rich is its vocabulary i.e understanding and knowledge of words. A rich vocabulary ensures faster processing and interpretation of information.
Thus, it is essential that parents work with their children to help them augment their word bank. Here are some simple, easy techniques to do just that.
8 Ways to Build Child’s Vocabulary
1. Read
This is the most elementary way to build. Reading to your child opens the doors to the world of words. Don’t mind if they ask you re-read the same book. Rather take it as an opportunity and stop midway a sentence for them to finish it for you.
This helps children in memorizing words and making connections. Introduce them to the magic of poetry. Poems are great for younger children as the rhythm makes it easier for the child to remember words.
2. Pep-up Your Conversations
While talking to your child, talk to her as you would talk to an adult. Use phrases and words which might be alien to her but can be interpreted.
Allow her to question the meaning of those words and exemplify them. A rich conversation would expose them to a variety of words, helping them expand their vocabulary base.
Use adjectives to describe daily objects. Add synonyms, antonyms to your conversations to make it affluent.
3. Label Things
Be it a trip to the supermarket or a play area, label items for your child. This is a superb way to teach young children new words.
And don’t be astonished if you too end up learning new words in this process.
4. Build Word Sense
By word sense, we mean prefix, suffix, root words and compound words. Help your child understand these and encourage them to break compound words.
For instance, tell your child that ‘tri’ denotes number 3. Ask him to think of some words which have ‘tri’ as suffix, like a triangle, tripod, tricycle etc. Once they understand these concepts, it is relatively easy to make sense out of new words.
5. Play Word Games
Simple word games like Scrabble, Boggle, Pictionary go a long way in supplementing vocabulary for kids. While playing these games, try to introduce new words.
You can make your own word games like word antakshari, let’s rhyme, Lego words to encourage word building and exploration.
6. Let Their Creativity Flow
Allow them to tell stories, restate their observations. When children are encouraged to think creatively (and critically), they are bound to use new words and expressions to add meaning to their thoughts. All this influence their language and help them mind search words they have heard before.
7. Invest in Children’s Dictionary
Invest your money and time in buying a good children’s dictionary. Most dictionaries catering to young children are illustrated. Illustrations help grab their attention and also allow them to look for words easily.
Supplement your reading routine with dictionary. Allow your child to browse through it and look for images and words that interest her.
8. Give Time
This is perhaps the most important. Children need time to learn new words. Reiteration is the only way to get a new word absorbed into their vocabulary.
Meanwhile, parents should be patient and not snub their child for not remembering previously taught words. A simple way to prevent this is taking one word at a time and using it frequently over the course of the week till it is set in your child’s memory.
All children are different and parents should be mindful about it. Comparison with a peer or a sibling will take away the pleasure from enhancing vocabulary and make the entire process appear as a way of ‘evaluation’. Remember, learning that comes with fun and joy is the best.
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