One of the great gifts we can give our children as they grow is the gift of language. While technology has changed many aspects of communication in our society, children’s experiences are enriched when they deepen their understanding of language and increase the breadth of their vocabularies. Given the pervasive nature of technology, it is perhaps more important now than ever to ensure children have exposure to new vocabulary and different ways of interacting with language. Below is an article from NAEYC that offers tips for supporting your child’s language development:
8 CREATIVE IDEAS TO HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN NEW WORDS
Language development happens very rapidly in early childhood -- it’s especially amazing to watch in the first two years of a child’s life (Galinksy 2010). This means that infants’ and toddlers’ home and family play a critical role in language and vocabulary growth. Children learn new words mainly by hearing them in a meaningful context (which often includes a story’s illustrations or a speaker’s gestures).
Reading to and with children, and engaging them in conversations, are great ways to build their vocabularies. However, if they are exposed to interesting words only once, or a limited number of times, they may only have a partial understanding of the word meaning (Christ & Wang 2010). Children must be exposed to new words multiple times and in different contexts to fully understand their meaning.
How can you expose your child to new words?
1. One of the best things you can do is talk with your child—talk about their day, what you are doing together (e.g., making breakfast or folding clothes), or where you are going.
2. Establish family literacy routines. Read to your child daily and choose books with illustrations that provide clues as to what the words mean. Read books as many times as your child wants--the repetition helps with understanding and learning new words.
3. Designate a special place for reading that is comfortable and quiet.
4. Have conversations during story reading.
- Ask your child questions about the story and illustrations.
- Help your child use the illustrations to make predictions about what will happen next.
- Explain the meaning of unfamiliar or interesting words.
- Draw connections to your family life, community, or experiences.
5. Make your home a print-rich environment filled with fun ways to play with letters and words.
Have storybooks in each room.
- Label items throughout your home so that your child can connect a word with its meaning. Write the word on an index card with large, clear letters.
- Place magnetic letters on the refrigerator that are accessible to your child so she can play with letters and writing.
- Bring take-out menus home from restaurants and help your child find foods that he likes. Encourage your child to draw a picture of the foods and then help him write the foods name on a whiteboard or build the word with plastic letters.
- Ask your child to help you write grocery lists or create a menu for the week.
- Have conversations with your child about pictures that you find in magazines, books, or online.
- Write the letters of the alphabet on index cards, and then tape them to a wall. Have your child help you find pictures with the beginning sounds of the letters, and tape the pictures underneath the letters. To get started, just make one index card with the first letter of your child’s name.
- Let your child play with food boxes—point out the words and explain what the food is. Talk about their favorite food, and then help them write the word or build the word with plastic letters.
- Label photos of people in your home with the person’s name.
- Take your child on a “word hunt.”
6. Visit the library.
7. Sing songs and teach your child nursery rhymes.
8. Make art projects that connect with the stories you read.
We hope some of these ideas are helpful to you as you celebrate National Reading Month this March!
