September 19, 2022

September 19, 2022

8 Techniques To Improve Your Child’s Vocabulary

As parents, there’s nothing we want more than for our children to be successful in life. But there are many life skills a child needs to learn before they reach adulthood, and while most are taught in schools, there are a few ways to help your child develop new skills at home. One such skill is a child's vocabulary.

Children’s vocabulary development is crucial in preparing them for secondary school and life in general. But not many parents know how to help their child or which vocabulary building techniques to use. So what techniques to improve your child's vocabulary are out there, and how can you implement them?

Let’s chat about the importance of your child having a strong vocabulary, and take a look at the various vocabulary building techniques you might like to try.

Why Is A Child’s Vocabulary So Important?
Children use their vocabulary skills for almost every aspect of their lives. From asking questions to telling people what they need, they need proper vocabulary skills to express themselves. A strong vocabulary will also help a child improve every other aspect of communication, including their listening skills, reading and writing skills, and speaking skills. How good your child's vocabulary is at an early age can also determine their success in school.

A strong vocabulary can also help develop a child's critical thinking skills. Simply put, a child's vocabulary is an extremely important part of their overall childhood development. So what can parents do to help their children? Is one vocabulary building technique superior to all the others?

No need to get overwhelmed – the most important thing you'll need is a willingness to help your child. Each child learns differently, so below we’ll discuss which vocabulary building techniques work best and how to implement them.

What Is The Most Effective Vocabulary Building Technique? 
The vocabulary technique that works for your child may not work for someone else's. That's because each child learns differently and responds differently to certain stimuli. However, most scientists and child-rearing experts all agree that there is one particular technique all parents can use to help build their child's vocabulary – and that’s paying attention to how you talk to your child.

Many of us use a "baby" voice when talking to infants and young children, but recent studies suggest that this way of talking to a child can delay their language development skills. This means just talking to your child the same way you'd speak to an adult may be the most effective vocabulary building technique you can apply to your everyday life. Of course, it doesn't mean you should speak to them about adult matters – just that you shouldn’t drastically alter your tone of voice and speech patterns from those you’d use with older children or adults.

How To Expand A Child’s Vocabulary
Talking to your child is the most effective way of helping them expand their vocabulary skills. You can start by phrasing things in “adult language”, and if your child is confused, helping them to make the connection between the new words used and words they’re used to hearing.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly children pick up on and retain new knowledge. That said, there are many other techniques you can use to help your child develop, so let’s dive into some of the most popular vocabulary building techniques.

8 Techniques To Improve Your Child’s Vocabulary
Check out our top eight vocab building techniques below.

1. Online Vocabulary Games
There are many games you can play with your child to help them expand their vocabulary. Hundreds of vocabulary games are available online and on mobile, all of which can be effective in helping your child's vocabulary skills. Your child can play vocabulary games independently, or you can join in with the fun alongside them.

2. Encourage Your Child To Ask Questions About Words
When your child encounters a new word for the first time, encourage them to ask questions about it. What does it mean? How is it spelled? Is it a verb, noun, or adjective? How do you use the word in a sentence? Answering all these questions and more can help encourage your child to keep learning.

3. Don’t Dumb Down Your Own Vocabulary
The best way children learn is through example, and that remains true with vocabulary skills. If you use more complex words in everyday sentences, your child will pick up their meanings on their own by using the context in which the word was spoken. However, if you’re using a word you know your child hasn’t heard before, try to explain the word to them to instill that definition.

4. Encourage Your Child To Read
Reading helps children come across new words they haven't seen or heard before. Try encouraging your child to read a new book every week and adding more as the weeks pass on. Soon you'll have an avid reader on your hands.

5. Read To Your Children
By reading to your child, you can introduce new words to them that they won't typically hear day-to-day. Have your child stop you when they hear a word they’re unfamiliar with, and explain the meaning of the word to them and the ways they can use it.

6. Give Your Child A Choice About What To Read
By allowing your child to choose what they want to read, they’ll be more interested than if you were to pick all their books for them. Try taking your child to the bookstore or library and browse with them, taking the time to find books that call to them.

7. Make Use Of Synonyms
When your child encounters a new word that they don't understand, try to use synonyms to explain the meaning of the word. For example, the word extraordinary can be described as wonderful, amazing, incredible, etc.  

8. Play Games With Your Child
Playing word games with your child, such as Scrabble, can help them learn to spell and pronounce new words. Not only are these kinds of games fun, they’re also super educational.

Developing your child’s vocabulary at home is a great way to help them build confidence and a new way of thinking. Starting young is recommended, but remember that it’s never too late to start!