Literacy

John Scollo

Building Strong Vocabulary: A Key to Reading Success

Did you know that the words children know play a big role in their reading success? The more words children understand and use, the easier it is for them to make sense of what they hear, read, and learn at school.

Vocabulary grows naturally through everyday experiences. Simple things like chatting in the car, reading a bedtime story, playing games, cooking together, or exploring somewhere new all help children learn new words.

One of the best ways to build vocabulary is by reading together. Books introduce children to interesting words that they may not hear in everyday conversations. When you come across a new word, take a moment to talk about what it means and how it might be used in other situations.

Here are some easy ways to build vocabulary at home:

- read with your child every day - talk about what you see, do, and experience together - use interesting and descriptive words in everyday conversations- encourage your child to ask about words they don't know- play word games and have fun exploring language together

Want to learn more? The short video below explains why some words are especially important for children's learning and how teachers help students develop a rich vocabulary. 

As you read with your child, listen for interesting words and talk about what they mean. The more children hear, discuss, and use new words, the more confident they become as readers, writers, and communicators.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulkX1aRTqTQ

Every conversation counts. By talking, reading, and exploring language together, you are helping your child build the vocabulary they need for success at school and beyond…

Reference: https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-101-guide-parents/reading-basics/vocabulary

John Scollo

English Learning Specialist