Did you know that reading aloud to your child is one of the most powerful ways to support their development? Children who are read to daily are exposed to 1.4 million more words by kindergarten compared to those who aren't read to regularly. Even just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference in building vocabulary, attention span, and imagination.

A word wall is a dedicated space where children can see and interact with words they are learning. It usually includes high-frequency words, thematic or seasonal vocabulary, and words tied to their interests or experiences. 

Label it “Our Summer Words” or give it a fun name like “Word Garden” or “Adventure Wall.”

Ask your child what word they want to add next. It might be something silly or unexpected and that’s okay! It’s their wall, and ownership boosts motivation and learning.

Go exploring! In your backyard, a local park, or on a walk. Pause to talk about textures, sounds, and shapes.

Document the adventure: Back inside, draw what they found or make a “Nature Book” with glued items and labels.

Bonus Twist: Pick a daily “Explorer Word of the Day” and use it in a sentence together.

This simple activity helps build early science skills and enriches your child’s descriptive language as they observe the world around them. It sparks a natural sense of wonder and encourages careful attention to details they might otherwise overlook. Best of all, it’s easy to repeat each week with new, exciting themes like colors, bugs or shapes.