Vocabulary & Oral Language
Vocabulary and oral language are the foundation of reading and writing. When children hear and use new words through conversation, stories, and play, they build the knowledge they need to understand what they read and express their ideas clearly.
Activities for Families
Tell Stories Together
Have fun taking turns to make up a story. You can start and have your child continue it. This builds speaking skills, imagination, and vocabulary (CECE Early Childhood Videos at Eastern CT State U., 2021).
You can also use online simulators (as shown on the right) to focus on creating your own stories using the images on the screen.
You can also use cards with different images on them and create a story using those.
This is one of my favorite activities to do with my students. :)
If your child is shy, let them draw their story first and then describe it, or record their story instead of sharing out loud.
For Multilingual Families:
You can do these activities in your home language, too. Talking about sounds and words in any language helps build strong reading skills. If possible, connect sounds between languages (for example, noticing similar letters or sounds).
Play "Word of the Day"
Pick one new word each day (like enormous or delicious).
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Say it together
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Use it in different sentences
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Try to use it throughout the day
Through modeling more sophisticated words, children can improve their vocabulary and word consciousness (Lane, 2010). Vocabulary instruction does not just occur in the classroom. This also gives your child more background knowledge about the world around them.
Word of the
Day