Parents can help with language skills even when their child has speech delays. In fact, the more that parents do to help children overcome challenges, the better prepared the child will be for kindergarten. Parents of children with disorders such as autism, apraxia of speech, and stuttering issues may want to consult with a speech therapist before getting started. Often, therapists can recommend effective techniques for building spoken and receptive language skills. Here are some easy and fun vocabulary-building activities that you can do every day that will help you teach your child new words. Children’s libraries often have fun and engaging events and activities for young children, which will expose them to new words and give them an opportunity to socialize. One way to do this is to become a walking thesaurus and substitute synonyms for various words. While synonyms are typically words that mean the same thing, often times a synonym is more descriptive than the original word. When it comes to preschool vocabulary building, enormous is always better than big. Here are some other suggestions:
Cold: Cool, chilly, bitter, freezing, rawHot: Warm, humid, boiling, tropicalSmart: Clever, bright, brilliant, wise
Thesaurus.com is a great resource for finding synonyms. You can also play games using the alphabet, such as I’m Going On a Picnic or the Alphabet Game, where you name items that start with letters in alphabetical order. Your little one may also enjoy playing learning games online that focus on building alphabet skills. For example, when describing a fabric pattern, try using words such as unusual, relaxing, or creative. These words may be beyond a toddler’s understanding right now, but by using them in the proper context you’ll make them more comprehensible. A good way to help preschoolers learn new words is to take what they are hearing and help them to visualize it. Use flashcards or cut pictures out of magazines for this game. Together you can work through what they mean, by using context—the other words on the page and any pictures that might be on the page as well.
