Literacy Toys

Word Building & Vocabulary

Resources  and books to help children build vocabulary.  Go through our range of resources which introduce vocabulary in a way that will motivate and keep the children interested.

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Knowing the meanings of primary resources English words and the context in which to use them is one of the most crucial aspects of language learning for kids. Early childhood is a critical period for neurological and cognitive development, and is, therefore, the best time to develop a good vocabulary.  What kids miss at this age is difficult to make up for later on in life. Children who learn how to build words and acquire an extensive vocabulary early in life tend to do better academically, express themselves better, and earn more as adults.

Primary Resources English Vocabulary

While building your child’s vocabulary may seem overwhelming, there are simple ways that you can infuse primary resources word-building into daily activities. From reading out loud to your toddler to playing vocabulary games, you are helping your little one learn new words— their meanings, how to use them, how they are similar or different, and their opposites.

Be Their Primary Source of New Words

Investing in your child’s vocabulary skills will pay high dividends for them later on in life. Interestingly, it is also an investment that you can also benefit from, as you will also learn a lot in the process. The easiest way to develop your child’s vocabulary is to use new words when you interact with them every day. Children want to be like their parents, so if they hear how you speak and use words, they will follow your example. One way to do this is to use more descriptive synonyms for different words. For example, when it is cold outside, you can help them understand how cool, chilly, and freezing are different. Kids can also use a thesaurus to find synonyms on their own.

To strengthen your child’s mastery of a new word they hear, they need to say it too, see it in written form, and learn to write it. You can also spell the word out for your child and encourage them to repeat it out loud after you say it. Depending on your child’s age, you can mix tier one and tier two words in games to improve vocabulary. Tier one words are basic words that have an everyday point of reference, such as “boy”, “cup”, or “book”. Tier two words include terms that have simple meanings but can also be extended to touch on abstract concepts. These include words such as “ocean” and “plot”. Tier two words are essential for the comprehension of textbooks and more advanced storybooks.

Vocabulary Games KS2 to Play

Learning and improving word knowledge does not have to be hard work for kids. Using games to improve vocabulary helps kids gain a more precise understanding of the meaning of new words. The interactive nature and free environment of vocabulary games also encourages kids to correct mistakes without feeling embarrassed. You can also use a variety of toys and other primary teaching resources to integrate new words into your daily routine seamlessly.

You should appreciate that learning new vocabulary is a continuous process. Children first hear words, but not know what they mean. They might then learn the meanings, but not use them regularly. Kids typically need to listen to a word four to ten times before it is added to their vocabulary. You should, therefore, try to teach your child, at most, five unfamiliar words per week. A great way to make the learning process fun is to play quick and easy literacy games, such as having a “word of the week” competition. In this game, your kids score a point whenever they use the word in context correctly. Extra points can be awarded for using the word in a new setting, or using a word from a few weeks before.

It’s also essential to use a variety of approaches when teaching word building and vocabulary. Kids love pictures, and a visual approach, such using symbols and images to represent words can work wonders. You can also play primary resources rhyme books to help your child think about how different words relate to each other. One of the best classroom vocabulary games is to challenge them to come up with as many rhyming words as possible, and form sentences like “Mom bought a brown gown in town”.

Primary Resources English Books for Children

A great asset that you can invest in to help build your child’s vocabulary and early word building skills is a home library. Just being around a lot of books and primary school resources will go a long way to helping your little one feel comfortable with new words and reading. Your child can also make their own reading list to go through alone or with your help. However, before a child can learn to read, they need to have a basic understanding of primary resources English words and what they mean.

You can also read aloud together with your child. Besides being an excellent way to bond with your little one, reading aloud together is a great way to introduce new words. Studies have found that children whose parents read to them for 30 minutes a day will have heard words 30 million more times by the time they turn five, than those who did not. It is important to choose books and primary teaching resources that are slightly above your child’s reading level.

Dictionaries are also essential self-help primary school resources to nurture a curiosity about words and their meanings. Some definitions in dictionaries might, however, include words that are unfamiliar to your child. In such cases, you can always use the reading sessions to give your child a quick kid-friendly definition to unfamiliar words, using context and any clues, such as images on the page. It’s important to go on with the story quickly, to preserve continuity, and then review what you went over after the reading session.

As you recap on the new words, you can also use gestures and facial expressions to help your child visualise the meanings. Vocabulary games, such as acting out the words together, may also help reinforce word learning. For example, you can show them what the word “sneak” means by actually sneaking around a bit along with them.

KS2 English worksheets are another way that parents and teachers can use to help kids use and apply new vocabulary in interesting ways. Other classroom vocabulary games include “Kim’s game”. In this game, you place flashcards on the table and let your child see them for a few seconds, then ask them to close their eyes. You then remove one card and have them try to identify the missing card. If they have trouble remembering, you can give them clues, such as what the word means, or its opposite.