Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is another key component in learning to read. Vocabulary is the knowledge of words and word meaning. It is important that vocabulary is learned through explicit teaching with the use of a multi sensory approach to help a child achieve mastery with vocabulary words. We need to have children work beyond just defining words and using them in a sentence. When we increase a child's knowledge of vocabulary we will see them improve in their comprehension, writing, and word recognition/decoding.

• One way you can help your children with the development of vocabulary is by incorporating key vocabulary words within your conversations about prior/background knowledge on a topic before reading, including vocabulary in the question you're discussing during and after reading.

• Create word webs which your child uses vocabulary words that come up in the books they are reading.

• Use dictionary apps to define words, some apps contain a learner tab that will simplify the definition for children.

• Use contextual information or context clues from the surrounding text to help gain understanding and meaning of confusing words.

• When discussing a new vocabulary word with your child be sure to try to:

  • Make connections to their lives, experiences, and interests

  • Make connections to synonyms

  • Create a vocabulary words bank on index cards to keep track of new vocabulary words to go back and reread the words, use them in their writing and everyday conversations.

  • Play games that incorporate vocabulary like crossword puzzles, boggle, word bingo, bananagrams, scrabble and so forth.