As parents, we are so excited to hear that first word. As teacher's, we are so happy when our students pick up new phrases we've taught them. But there are times kids will hit a plateau or seem as if they're slowing down in their learning.
Of course, kids will pick up new words and phrases as they grow up, make friends and go to school. But here we've got 6 easy tips to expand your kids'/students' vocabulary bank to give them that headstart and almost effortlessly turn into an eloquent speaker you can have full conversations with.
→ Read Different Genre Books Together
For kids and adults alike, reading is always the best way to expand our vocabulary and learn new and interesting words. To make the most of this wonderful habit, try reading different genres with your children so they can learn many different words on many different topics. You could try reading fairy tales, animal books, joke books, kids history books, books about travelling, books based on real life stories, counting books, alphabet books - the list is endless.
Want some ideas? Check out this list here:
For even more ideas, check out our list of favourites from our post for Children's Book Day!
→ Play Different Genre Games Together
Just like reading different genre books, playing different types of games together is a great way to expand vocabulary. Most games require some sort of conversation or phrases that need to be said. Try interactive games that require multiple players so your child can use any words they are learning straight away. By picking up new words while playing, kids unknowingly and effortlessly learn so much more and so much faster.
Try playing number games, alphabet games, games with animals or people with different occupations, or games that need you to do specific actions. While playing, make sure your child not only hears you using the words, but also repeats them.
Here are some awesome games to get you started:
5 Sec. Rule - Jr. - Draw a card, the card will tell you to list 3 things in 5 seconds (i.e. List 3 Farm Animals), get it correct and you can move around the board!
The Floor is Lava! - This game comes with stepping stones (to avoid the lava, obviously) and cards with instructions (i.e. Touch your toes), all yo have to do is jump from step to step with out falling!
Hi-Ho! Cherry O Board Game - Great for 3 years and up, with this fun number board game your child will be counting in no time!
→ Speak in Complete Sentences
When we speak to little ones, we often speak with few words or imitate the way they speak. As cute as this is, speaking in complete sentences or lengthening your sentences will help your child to do the same. As we add more words to our sentences, our kids will pick up more words and add them to their own sentences.
For example, we might say 'You like it?', we could instead try 'Do you like those blueberries?' and when they answer with 'Yeah' we could reply with 'You like these blueberries!'.
Soon they'll start using those extra words you added to your sentences in their own conversation. It may sound silly when you're doing it, but it works everytime! Try it out and see for yourself!
→ Speak To Them As a Person - Not a Child
This one may seem controversial. Speaking in baby ababy voice and making baby noises to babies actually helps them get used to different sounds and encourages them to moves their mouth in different ways when they try to repeat your noises. However, when kids start talking and we still reply with very few and very simple words, it may actual slow down their learning of new words.
Instead, try sometimes speaking to them as you would to an adult friend. Try using words you use every day instead of finding a simpler version and add expressions or idioms that we use all the time that we might usually leave out when speaking to kids. They may not understand all of what you say at first, but either they'll pick it up from the context or ask you what that word/expression means.
With this method, kids will be picking up all kinds of new words and phrases in no time!
→ Use More Adjectives, Synonyms & Antonyms
When talking about your day or something you can see, consciously add some adjectives (describing words) to you sentence. This is a great way to slip in some extra vocabulary for you child to pick up.
Some other words to use when talking are synonyms (different words with the same meanings) and antonyms (opposites). This way kids can connect different words and learn different ways to say things which adds a beautiful variety to their speech.
For example, you might normally say 'What a nice day!', when you could try changing it up a bit to 'What a beautiful/gorgeous/pleasant day! I'm glad it's not awful/lousy/horrible like last Friday.'
This is a great way to slip in some new words that your child can pick up.
→ Talk Together
Well this sounds obvious, but studies show the more face to face conversation kids have with their parents, the faster their speech develops. These days many kids are constantly in front of the TV or some sort of electronic device. They are constantly stimulated with images flashing before their eyes and noises and songs in their ears that they tune out everything around them. Most kids who spend too much time on their electronic devices often have communication problems and issues expressing themselves verbally, among other things.
Most kids who spend too much time on their electronic devices often have communication problems and issues expressing themselves verbally, among other things.
Having conversations with them on a regular basis will not only improve their listening skills hearing you talk, but give them a chance to speak, improve their speech patterns, use new vocabulary and express themselves more clearly.
It may be more effort and take time for kids to get use to it or show results; but with patience and persistence, they'll have a beautiful bank of vocabulary in no time!
Which tips and tricks have you tried? Let us know below in the comments!
Share this post with your friends and family and try these tricks out together!
Did you know? I-Tots Books are designed to help expand kids' vocabulary. Each book is themed and has an interactive new words section at the back! Each book even comes with a FREE worksheet to help embed the new words learnt in the story. Check out all our books here!
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