Growing a Child’s Vocabulary

By: Al Stewart

Communication is very important in all aspects of our lives. It is the foundation for establishing relationships, learning skills and/or trades, and even for leisure activities. There are many forms of communication including reading, writing, speaking, body language, facial expressions, graphic representations, and many more. But what is interesting is that communication begins at birth – on day one of our lives.

Babies learn how to communicate by watching faces, mouths and listening to the tones of voices around them. They then learn to “speak” through their cries. Moms can tell what kind of cry it is – a hunger cry, or the time for a diaper change cry, or even the, “I just want attention” cry. How a mom responds to the cry will support or validate the baby’s communication. But, a major goal for infants and toddlers is to learn how to communicate with words.

The majority of a baby’s early communication includes introducing them to nouns first, then verbs and adjectives. We tell them who people are – mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, brother, sister, etc. Then we focus on their body parts. These are modeled in songs, finger plays, and nursery rhymes that we sing/say to them: peek-a-boo, patty-cake, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and more. 

The words we use to describe are also important in developing a strong vocabulary. One of the ways we know young children are learning and growing their vocabulary is through their senses. Try to make a list of descriptive words related to each one of the senses and be intentional about using as many of them as you can throughout the week with your child:

• Discuss how food tastes; don’t just say the beans taste good but choose to use words like delicious, salty or savory (an under-used, but very descriptive, word). The dessert is sweet, chocolaty, creamy, or yummy. Think of some other words that may be used to describe taste, such as bitter, sour, tart, spicy, cold, and nutty.

• What about sounds? What sounds can you hear in your backyard? What about at the zoo? Some sounds are loud, soft, musical, harsh, twangy, whistle-like, etc. Play a game with your child. What sounds might you hear at the circus or at the local park? Guess and then verify after you get there. Sounds are all around us.

• What about textures? Things are soft, hard, rough, bumpy, scratchy, sticky, or prickly. What are some of the textures you can describe in your home?

• Words to describe smells are important. Often, a child’s favorite words is stinky, a word many young ones hear daily. Have fun with a “smells like” activity with your child using flowers, fruit, spices, etc.

A strong vocabulary, for a young child, is a critical element as a predictor for future learning, especially in reading. When a variety of words are used in describing vehicles, flowers, foods, clothes and other items, it also strengthens the children’s language skills. What do you do to strengthen your children’s vocabulary?

As you go through the week, there should be many opportunities to foster vocabulary and have real conversations using new words. Make sure children are given ample time to respond to statements made to them, to ask and answer questions, and to discuss things that are of interest to them. This can happen at home, in the supermarket, riding in the car, taking a walk down the street, and in the park. Language grows through real experiences and conversations so visit the library, zoo, a museum, and other local establishments on a regular basis to allow your child to have a wide variety of language experiences. These special trips will definitely build vocabulary, special memories, and family bonds.

About the Author: Al Stewart has work in the early childhood field for 42 plus years including the public school sector in Texas for 34 years as a teacher, early childhood special/general education specialist and consultant as well as Head Start. After he retired, he started his own consulting business, A. Stewart Consulting, and continued his passion for teaching by conducting training sessions for teachers in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and administration throughout the country.