Having a broad vocabulary at a young age is important for many reasons, it helps children communicate their feelings and needs and is directly linked to academic achievement down the line. If you’re keen to help your child expand their lexicon and become masters of the spoken word, these tips from a nursery in Twickenham will help to get you on your way.
Get Talking
The more you chat with your child the faster their vocabulary will grow. They will hear you use new words in the context of the conversation and will want to mimic the things you say. Talk about everything and anything, point out the things within your home and whilst you’re out and about, describe different emotions and narrate your actions whilst carrying out different tasks. The more they hear, the more they’ll learn.
Read Together
Books will introduce language you may not use in everyday, conversational English. Even if your child can read independently, reading aloud will allow you to cover more advanced literature, exposing them to a broader range of words. Find books which appeal to your child’s interest in order to hold their attention, and make reading part of your nightly routine. Once your child has developed a love of literature their vocabulary will flourish as they will learn new language in context and will feel more confident reciting the words they discover.
Explain the Meaning
It’s important to ensure your child comprehends the new words they are learning in order for them to cement them into their own vocabulary. If you say a more complex word try to offer a definition or synonym so that they understand what it means. Children will only tend to use the language they are comfortable with, so if they’re not confident in how to use a certain use they are unlikely to do so. Try acting things out or showing pictures to help them grasp definitions, and practice using new words in sentences.
