Tips to Improve Your Child's Vocabulary

Developing and expanding a child's vocabulary is essential to improved reading comprehension.   As a parent, there are many things you can do at home to make learning new words a daily ritual that can be fun for everyone.

Use New Vocabulary at Home

As a parent, your kids look up to you, whether they want to admit it or not. If you start using bigger words in your natural conversation with them or look up new words online with (or without) them, they're more likely to see the value of expanding their vocabulary and will do it themselves. Making it a natural part of their daily lives will set the stage for a lifetime of vocabulary development.

Play Word Games

Crossword puzzles, word searches, Mad Libs, and board games like Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Boggle can all help your children improve their vocabulary and provide family fun. If your son/daughter is a reader, get them a subscription to a kids' magazine like National Geographic or Highlights. The combination of great reading material and word games inside will help them improve their vocabulary.  Here's a list of the Parent's Choice picks if you needs some ideas for a magazine that might perk your child's interest.

There's an App for That

One of the best ways to reach kids in today's technologically dominated society is through the computer, a Smartphone, or a tablet. There are loads of apps available for download that your child can use to boost their vocabulary. Reading Rockets has several recommended apps complete with reviews and recommended ages as does TCEA who has put out a list for iPad specific ones. When in doubt, search Google for some recommended apps for your device or check in with the reading teacher at your son/daughter's school.

These are just a few tips you can use to build your son/daughter's vocabulary. By introducing fun ways to integrate new words into your child's daily life, you can regularly improve your child's vocabulary.  If your child needs for formal methods to improve vocabulary and reading comprehension, consider having him  work with a reading tutor or enroll him in a reading program.