Teaching Vocabulary Through Small Group Games

Why Teach Vocabulary to Young Children?

• Vocabulary knowledge is critical for reading comprehension.
• It is the most important predictor of reading comprehension by grades 3 and 4 (e.g., Oakhill & Caine, 2012; Vellutino et. al., 2007).
• Vocabulary helps with initial reading skills.
• Kindergarten vocabulary is related to grade 1 phonemic awareness and decoding (Dickinson et. al., 2019).
• Language at ages 3 and 4 is related to reading ability in grades 3 and 4. (NICHD, 2005; Storch & Whitehurst, 2002; Walker & Greenwood, 1994)

Tips for Success

1. Use words in complete meaningful sentences.
2. Make word meanings clear.
   Define the word. Use pictures, gestures, the tone of your voice, sounds.
3. Encourage children to use the words.
4. Provide many learning opportunities through games, book reading, and conversations throughout the day.

Selecting Words in Teach

Stretch children’s vocabularies

1. Names for novel objects, places, and animals.
2. Interesting action words:
   stride, saunter, stroll, meander, gallop, trot, canter
3. Exciting words that describe things:
   enormous, huge, monumental, tremendous
4. Try to teach words that are related to each other:
   leaf, blossom, stem, roots, petal, stamen

Where Do You Find Words?

• Words related to a topics
• Unit of study
• Special interests of your child(ren)
• Books
• Everyday life

General Procedures

1. Introduce the word. Have a plan for how you will define the word and use it in a sentence.
   • Picture cards are very helpful.
   • Create a gesture for the word.
2. Transfer responsibility to the child.
   • Begin by telling children words and their meanings. Later have them use the words and define them. Ask a yes/no question that makes them think about the word’s meaning.
3. Have children use the words often.

A Board Game

Set Up

• Picture card for each word to use when teaching the word. Put a word definition on the back and a sample sentence if you would like.
• Game board: Trail leads from start to finish. Add ladders, chutes, ropes, traps, etc. for excitement. Each stop on the trail is color coded to match game cards.
• Game cards: Cards with a picture for each word you are teaching. Each card has a color that matches what is on the trail.
• A game piece for each child.

Playing the Game

1. Introduce/teach the words.
   • First 1-2 times: Show the word, define it, use it in a sentence, and give a gesture for it.
   • Later: Ask children to name the words, give definitions, and use the gestures.
2. Child turns over the top card and demonstrates knowledge in a way consistent with his/her ability level and familiarity with the words:
   • easy: say the word (provide hints with initial sound if needed)
   • medium: say the word and either define it or use it in a sentence.
   • advanced: say the word, define it, and use it.
3. Other children say if the child is correct. They say the word.
4. Child moves marker to the color that matches what is on the word card.

Set Up

• Picture cards to introduce the words. Have definitions on the back. Prompt questions may be added.
• Game board with pictures of the words. Only some of the words are on each board. Adjust the size of the board to suit the ages of your children. Pieces for children to place on their board. Set of small cards with pictures of all the words.

Playing the Game

1. Teacher/leader selects a picture card, defines the word, and shows it.
2. Children name the word and give a gesture.
3. Children place the marker on the word if they have it.
4. Teacher may have a conversation about the word.
5. Play until everyone has a “bingo” or stop when one child wins.

Playing with Four-Year-Old Children

Playing Word Meaning Bingo

Final Thoughts

• Children are always learning new words. Use interesting words as you talk with them.
• Games should be fun! Adjust the complexity to match your child’s level. Given prompts and hints. You want to help your child(ren) be correct.
• Children remember words you teach for many months and years. Invest now and they will reap dividends for years.