Vocab Games

Learning new words 

"Bring me" game with kitchen tools

Introduce your child to the names of a few new kitchen tools (ladle, whisk, can opener, cutting board, strainer/colander, etc.).

• Hint: Only use 3 new words at a time, but mix in additional familiar items for the game

1) Name the object ("this is a whisk!"), have the child repeat it - ("Can you say whisk?), and briefly say what it does ("we use a whisk to mix up liquids like eggs and pancake batter!")

• Hint: Repetition is key - the more the child hears and says the new word, the faster they can get it in their long-term memory 

2) "Show me" - After you have introduced 2-3 new words, say "show me the _____." After they pick it up or point to it, ask "what is it?" so they have practice repeating the word. This step makes sure the child is connecting the new words with the correct tools.
3) "Bring me" - Go to another part of the house and tell the child, "bring me the _____. What are you going to bring?" (checking to make sure they heard the word correctly)

• Hint: Distance in this game has several benefits - the child has to keep the word in their mind for longer, which strengthens their memory. Incorporating movement increases learning, and it also gets them a little exercise. One more benefit - this activity gives adults a chance to multi-task, helping another child or doing their own tasks in another part of the house!

Variations: play this game with office supplies, first aid items, household lines, tools, etc.

Vocab movement game

After introducing the new vocabulary, give the child instructions on where to take each item (Put the watering can beside the tree!" "Put the leaf on the steps!") Once the items have been placed in different locations, ask, "do you remember where the watering can is?" (give a clue if they have forgotten). Notice that in addition to practicing vocabulary, they are also getting movement and working with position words (on, beside, under, etc.)

Categories 

Suggest a category and see how many things you and your child can think of for that category (examples: fruits, clothing, colors, animals, etc.) Ready for more challenge? The leader names a category out loud and thinks of one thing in that category. The others take turns guessing things from that category until someone guesses what the leader was thinking of, then they become the leader.

Other categories to try: How many things can you think of that are:
- bigger than a bus? smaller than an orange?
- toppings you can put on pizza? on an icecream sundae?
- sparkly?
- have wheels?

Opposites 

Play a game where you name a word and your child says the opposite. Examples: up/down, wet/dry, cold/hot, short/tall, in/out, over/under, happy/sad, clean/dirty Another way to play is to ask a question that confuses a pair and let your child correct you. (“Is fire cold?” “Is water dry?”) Your child may want a turn saying the first word, and you come up with the opposite. (Don’t worry, if you’re stumped, you can always ask your child for help!)

Prepositions 

Prepositions are the words that tell us where something is – on, under, beside, in front of, behind, in, etc. This is a game to help them practice using these words. Pick any two objects in your house (pillow & a toy; spoon and napkin, small object and a cup – anything!) Position the two objects and tell your child, “Look, the bear is in front of the pillow!” then move the object and ask your child, “Now where is the bear?” (If they aren’t sure, try giving them two options – ex: “Is the bear on the pillow or beside the pillow?”) Keep it fun & playful!