Vocabulary is universally defined as, “the knowledge of words and effective use of words by a particular person during communication.” A rich dictionary of words always serves as a functional and fundamental tool to foster healthy communication, great understanding and acquiring knowledge. A robust vocabulary is the need of the time as it helps to foster an overall personality development.

Today parents very well know that vocabulary is crucial across the curriculum. They acknowledge the fact that the first impression of their child is evaluated on the basis of his or her knowledge of vocabulary.  Parents have a clear understanding that vocabulary is intimately connected to effective listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. A strong vocabulary will always help their child to have great expressions, superb communication skills and an elevated level of self-confidence.

Let us discuss five simple routine activities that can help you and your child to develop an impressive vocabulary.

1. Inculcate the habit of reading

It is rightly said by Rick Holland. “The world belongs to those who read.”  

Reading is a healthy exercise to enrich one’s vocabulary. Parents should encourage their children to inculcate the habit of reading books, newspapers, articles, blogs or any piece of art expressed in words. While reading a child acknowledges a range of new words, understand their meanings and the correct usage of words.

A child can build up an interest in reading books by selecting a book with loads of pictures and little text. Reading a book helps the child to improve his cognitive and communication skills. It helps the child to boost his or her confidence level.

2. Embed vocabulary into the child’s routine activities

Parents should start embedding vocabulary into their children’s daily lives. They should try to engage in conversations with kids during their routine activities, as this is the best way to enhance their vocabulary skills. Parents should start naming and explaining each activity like brushing teeth, bathing, proper dressing, diaper changing.

Being a parent you should get involved in talks with your kid during block building activities, meal durations, music, dance, and sensory activities. This conversation will help them learn new words associated with respective activities.

3. Engage them in storytelling activities

Children have an inborn love for interactive stories. Storytelling activity is one of the most fascinating activities. Storytelling is a fun and engaging way of learning new words. Parents can introduce a range of new words to their children by adopting the culture of storytelling activities at home.

This interactive story games benefit a kid’s mental and emotional intelligence. The beautiful narration of a story improves vocabulary, comprehension and sequencing skill.

4. Motivate kids to participate in group activities

Group activities among friends and peers prove to be a blessing in disguise when it comes to learning of new words. Each child in the group has a specific imagination and creativity skills. Communication is the main essence of group activities where each child will put forward his or her thoughts, feelings and ideas in form of words.

While playing and having fun a child will encounter a range of new words. The words learned during group activities are easily remembered as each word is backed up by a meaningful context. This process of accumulation of new words enriches their vocabulary.

5. Play word games and puzzles

Online word puzzle games play wonders when it comes to learning new words. Playing word games have a huge impact on the holistic development of vocabulary. While playing word games a kid frames few known words and try to frame new words as per the clue mentioned. The acknowledgment of known words revises their vocabulary and the formation of new words enriches their vocabulary.

The word game helps the child to learn words with a proper understanding of the clue. Parents should motivate their children to play more word games and puzzles as this has been considered as a great educational learning tool for kids.