Ways+to+Increase+Vocabulary

How can we help our children increase their reading vocabulary?



We must learn, as educators and parents, to raise the bar of our “talk” with children. We must not talk down to them. For instance, we could say, “Look at that big moon.” Or we could say, “Look at that enormous moon.” Then as educators and parents, we have introduced a new word to our students/children. But of course, it can’t stop there. We must continue to use the word “enormous” in different context and in multiple encounters in order for a student/child to “own” it. It’s also appropriate to use it with a “known” word that has a similar meaning. For instance, “Look at that big, enormous moon.” This helps the student/child to infer the “unknown word” with a familiar, “known” word. It’s also our job as educators and parents to commend a child when they use a “new” word appropriately…letting children know that they used the word correctly will encourage them to enrich their vocabulary knowledge. A study by Moats in 2001 has shown that a linguistically “Poor” first grader knew 5,000 words, where as a linguistically “rich” first grader knew 20,000 words. This leaves some children at an alarming disadvantage before entering the chronological age of public schooling. It takes time and patience, but when exposure, multiple encounters, and “child friendly” definitions are used, you will be helping a child become a better reader, writer and thinker.

Peace, Todd Cole