Words are the basic building blocks for all languages. Before our children start talking in complete sentences, they start communicating by using words. An average first-grader knows 10,000 words. Between the ages of 12 months and 6 years children learn about 2,000 words a year or 38 words a week or 5-6 words a day! Researchers believe that a rich vocabulary in early childhood significantly impacts a child’s reading success later.
The previous post, “Impact of Early Childhood Reading and Conversation” introduced project EASE (Early Access to Success in Education) that helps children develop language and literacy skills. The Project EASE Vocabulary Unit suggests ways we as parents can help our children develop an extensive vocabulary while enjoying quality time with them. Some suggested activities are as follows:
- Reading books, especially books with words on a specific topics. Some PicabooLane recommendations for vocabulary building are listed below.
- Engaging children in extended conversations during mealtimes, bedtime talk and trips in the car. Unlike social conversations, extended conversations focus on a topic, explain things and extend ideas. This enables children to learn more words and develop a better understanding of the topic.
- Building word webs using pictures (e.g., things to do outside, things in school, things we see in the garden.)
- Playing games that encourage children to guess names of things based on clues provided by parents or having children provide the clues and parents guessing the names of things.
Below are some PicabooLane recommended books for vocabulary building:
This post is based on the Project EASE Vocabulary Unit. Other Related Posts:
Impact of Early Childhood Reading and Conversation
