How to Improve Your Toddler's Vocabulary
- 1). Read out loud to your child. Sit down with him during his story reading time and tell him about the story that you are going to read. Involve him in the reading. Show him pictures in the book. Encourage him to think about what happens next in the story from the pictures before you read the next part. This practice enables him to connect certain words he hears with what he sees in the pictures.
- 2). Carry out conversations with your child every day. For example, you could ask her to explain to you the games he learned at the daycare. Ask questions after she explains; this allows her to use words to clarify. Avoid rushing in to correct mistakes if made. Instead, wait for her to finish her answer. Then, repeat the answer back to her so that she realizes you are listening and trying to comprehend. Jumping at her mistakes and correcting them can lower her self-esteem and cause her to draw back and refuse to try again.
- 3). Sing to your child. The rhyme and rhythm of singing can help him remember words more easily. Incorporate your own words into popular melodies. Have your child sing along with you. Encourage him to build his own verses.
- 4). Play the show and tell game. Take your toddler to a park, a beach or into your yard. Have her collect some items wherever you go. Flowers, rocks, seashells or any other simple item is ideal. Once you are at home, ask her to spread the objects she collected and tell you about them.
- 5). Develop your toddler's vocabulary using picture reading technique. Use a book with pictures of common objects such as toys, food, clothing and furniture; arrange them all by category (e.g., all food items in one category, furniture under another category, etc.). Show the picture of the object and the actual item to your child and talk about it. Then, ask him to name the object and describe it. You can make a picture book of related items by yourself. Take pictures of common objects with a camera. Begin a photo album with related objects under separate categories.
