Helping your Child to Develop their Vocabulary – Developing a wide vocabulary is one of the most important steps in a child’s life when it comes to their development. The vocabulary size of a child from the age of 4 can be used as a predictor for their academic outcomes when they reach the age of 16. Alongside school and other forms of traditional education, the input a parent has in the development of a child’s vocabulary is crucial.
Helping your Child to Develop their Vocabulary
Up to 95% of the words a child picks up is found in their parents’ vocabulary which is shocking. Parental involvement in learning also plays a big part in a child’s motivation and achievements. The good news is, it is easy to integrate vocabulary development into your little one’s daily routine. Below are some suggestions on how to help your child develop their vocabulary.
Develop their Vocabulary – Encourage your child to ask questions
Whether your child is wanting to know the meaning of a new word that they’ve heard or want help to look it up in a dictionary, be sure to encourage your little one to query any new words that they come across. Make sure that they don’t feel embarrassed and take your time to explain the word if they ask you to. Show interest and delight as this is what will push them to be more curious about new vocabulary.
Develop their Vocabulary – ring new words to life
When you are out and about, point to different objects and actions to help introduce new vocabulary into their life. If you are driving and it is raining heavily, describe the situation and label the weather as rain. If you are walking down the street and hear someone laughing, describe this emotion to your child as happy. You can also help your little one visualise new words by drawing a situation that represents the word on paper.
For example, if you are describing ‘disgusting’, you can draw a picture of them eating their least favourite food. Eventually, your child will begin to pick up words faster than your mind can process!
*Collaborative post