7 Easy Tips To Improve Your Child's Vocabulary

Building a strong vocabulary is one of the keys to helping your child’s comprehension, even if they are too young to read. Think of it this way: you’re laying the groundwork early to help your child become a good reader later by making sure you teach them new words from the time they’re babies.

Many parents are curious about what causes poor vocabulary and what is the fastest way to improve vocabulary in children, but it’s not as difficult as you may think! Here are some easy tips to improve your child’s vocabulary that you can start today, no matter how old your child is.

The Value In Vocabulary
Many parents ask, “How can I help my child develop their vocabulary?” But what they first probably need to understand is exactly why vocabulary is so valuable.

Words are critical to humans because they allow you to convert what you’re thinking into a form you can share with those around you. Think about it: words, when used in the right combination, have the power to entrance, encourage, and enthrall people. There are examples all throughout history – after all, we’re still talking about the Gettysburg Address 160 years after the fact.

Now, no one is saying that your child has to be the next Abraham Lincoln (literally very large shoes to fill!), but what should be clear is that if you want your child to be imaginative, convey their feelings, and have new experiences in a way they can share, it all starts with their vocabulary.

How Can I Help My Child To Develop Their Vocabulary?
There are so many ways you can help your child to develop their vocabulary, even when they can’t really say much back yet. Below are our top tips to improve your child’s vocabulary.

1. Talk To Your Child
You can learn a lot from a conversation! Talk with your child every day and listen to them as well. This helps your child to build vocabulary and practice their language and communication skills. You can start with something easy, such as asking how their day at school was. Ask them to talk about the best thing that happened and the most challenging thing that happened; encourage them to explain these things in detail, using words to describe how they felt.

2. Get Involved
If you can involve your child in the everyday things you think are mundane, it can help to build their vocabulary. If you like to garden, take them out with you and explain what you’re doing and why. If you like to cook, read a recipe together and explain each step as you undertake it. There are so many opportunities throughout the day to involve your child, so pick one and get talking about it!

3. Don’t Be Afraid Of Bigger Words
Even when your kids are little, don’t be afraid to use bigger words when talking to them. Show them all the fancy ways there are to express themselves and wow them with your use of words they may not have heard before. It can make you an admirable paradigm for them as they grow their own lexicon.

4. Tell Stories And Read Books
Studies have shown that the more words kids hear, the larger their vocabulary will be – so simply saying words to kids has a positive impact. That’s why, while it’s great for kids to read books together and experience seeing and sounding out words, it’s also a good idea to read stories to them and discuss afterward.

How Can Parents And Teachers Enhance A Child’s Vocabulary Growth?
There are so many opportunities at both school and at home to expand a child’s vocabulary. Read on for a few strategies that both teachers and parents can use.

5. Group Objects
Take some objects and have a child sort them into groups, then have them label each category with their descriptive word. You can have a lot of fun with this one by putting together objects that seem to have no connection at first.

6. Track Brand-New Words
When a child learns a new word for the first time, have them write it down. Keep a running list, and later encourage them to go over that list and challenge them to use the words on it. This will help to set new words in their mind, increasing their vocabulary while they think they’re just having fun!

7. Make Art
Most kids love art. It’s a great way for them to use their imagination and express themselves, and you can also harness it to help improve their vocabulary. All you have to do is use a medium such as painting, acting, or even drawing to help them learn new words. Have them create a drawing based on a new word they learned, or act out what they think the word means. This is a way to have fun and be creative while committing new words to memory.

Building a strong vocabulary is one of the keys to success in life, and it can instill a love of words that children can carry with them for the rest of their lives. So don’t be afraid to use big words or introduce new things to your child through reading, writing, play, or art. You never know – you could have the next Abraham Lincoln on your hands!

Featured image by Brett Jordan on Unsplash