The English language is one of the most extensive of all languages, which means your kid will never run out of vocabulary words to study and apply. While schooling helps cover a large chunk of vocabulary training through exposure, there are other fun ways for you to help expand your child’s vocabulary at home.  A strong vocabulary benefits all genres of writing.. The time your child works on honing their vocabulary is time spent indirectly honing their writing skills.

If you want to work together to improve their English vocabulary, the best way to do it is by reading as much as possible. But what if you don’t have the time to read  a novel with your child every day, or they don’t have the attention span for such a focused task? In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to improve your kid’s English vocabulary quickly and easily.

The Importance of Vocabulary

Vocabulary is crucial since it is the foundation of all languages. It is the raw material from which we can express our thoughts and ideas, share information, comprehend others, and develop personal relationships. Because understanding is the ultimate purpose of reading, the importance of vocabulary growth for children cannot be overstated. A big vocabulary aids in all parts of communication, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  It has even shown that advanced communication skills are linked to success in one’s career!

Why Is Vocabulary Important for Writers?

No matter what one’s writing goals are, expanding vocabulary is a surefire way to improve writing. A broader vocabulary can help a writer better express ideas, connect with readers, and even make them more persuasive.

A writing vocabulary, like a speaking vocabulary, includes terms that you can quickly recall and use. A strong vocabulary supports precise writing and helps you avoid using vague terms and words, from action words to descriptive words and beyond. You become more capable of describing specific and exact surroundings, feelings, and thoughts as your vocabulary expands. As your vocabulary increases and your writing skill increases,  you practise what writers refer to as “painting with words.”

In addition, a strong vocabulary can help a writer avoid common writing pitfalls, like using too many filler words or relying on clichés. If your child is an enthusiastic writer and wants to improve, increasing their vocabulary is a great place to start.

Tips Improve Your Child’s English Vocabulary

If you want to improve their English vocabulary, there are a few things you can do with your child:

1. Encourage them to read, read, and read some more.

Numerous studies have found that youngsters who read frequently have larger vocabularies than those who do not. This is due to the fact that books often contain a considerably greater range of vocabulary than what we use in regular conversation. The more your child reads, the more words they will come across and progressively add to their vocabulary. Encourage them to try reading a variety of different materials. New words can be learned in a variety of settings. A cereal box might teach your youngster the phrase ‘ingredients,’ while a car manual could teach them the word ‘metallic.’ Don’t dismiss the benefits of reading magazines and newspapers, as well as internet content. Make sure their reading over time includes fiction and non-fiction, newspapers, magazines, and online articles- an ambitious task, but well worth the results.

2. Have conversations constantly with your child

As they can start having an impact at a young age, stimulating conversations between parents and children  are known to be one of the main influencing factors on vocabulary and language development. Your conversation doesn’t need to be about anything thrilling- for example, you can recount what happened in your day earlier while your child was at school. Whenever you’re visiting a museum or boarding a train, discuss what you see and experience, and keep an eye out for new words to point out to your kid. Ensure you don’t simplify your own vocabulary- talk to your children as you would to another adult.

3. Read aloud to your child to experience the benefits of storytelling

Even if your child is an accomplished reader, reading aloud to them allows them to access more difficult books than they would otherwise be able to read on their own. This introduces children to more difficult vocabulary while also allowing you the opportunity to converse. Explore our article about the powerful ways that storytelling helps your child.

4. Have them to keep a vocabulary notebook

When your child comes across new words, read up their definitions together and try to use them in a sentence. When they come across a new word that they don’t recognise, have them jot it down in a notebook dedicated to new vocabulary. Make sure they include the word’s definition and try to use it in a sentence.

5. Inspire your child to write stories

Writing is essential for expanding one’s vocabulary as well. It works both ways, which means that if you have a large vocabulary, you will have greater writing skills. Similarly, if you have exceptional writing skills, you write on a frequent basis, which helps in expanding  your existing vocabulary. If your kids enjoy it, introducing new words will boost their creativity and inventiveness, and they’ll be proud of themselves when they realize how much they’ve learned.

6. Play word games together.

A fun and interactive way to work on vocabulary with your kid is by playing word games such as Scrabble or Boggle. You can also introduce them to word searches, which provide them with new words, while crosswords are an excellent method to connect a word to its meaning. Even the simple game  ‘I spy…’ can be a way to introduce new nouns. Check out this list of games!