Five Activities for Pre-schoolers to Improve Vocabulary

Knowing lots of different words helps young children to be able to express themselves, communicate in sentences and vocalise their imagination. It also helps when learning to read and write and can benefit them at school, as well as at home, and when socialising with others.

Along with talking to your little one as you go about your time together and reading to them regularly, there are also some specific activities you can do with your child to help their vocabulary grow. 

In this guide, we’ve compiled some of our favourite everyday activities for pre-schoolers that can help expand their vocabulary in fun and simple ways. 

Go food shopping together

Taking your pre-schooler to the supermarket might be some parents’ idea of a bit of a nightmare, but visiting shops can be a good way to help your little one expand their vocabulary, along with developing other language skills. 

Going to the supermarket when it’s quieter than usual and when you don’t have lots of time pressure or a big list of things to get can help make it a more positive experience for everyone, and you can do these simple things with your little one to help them learn more words and how they can be used:

• Ask your child to think of two things you need to get from the shop before you both go inside. These can be things they already know the words for, for example, ‘apples’ and ‘ice cream’. Ask them to remind you to get the two things and keep checking in with your little one about what they are as you go round the shop. This can help build their auditory memory.
• Point out signs that also have images or icons on them, as well as words. Your little one can start to associate the shape and sounds of words with their pictures without even realising it. You can ask them to point towards various things in each section e.g. where are the peppers? Where are the carrots? etc.
• When you get home, name each thing as you get it out of the bag and put it away, naming where it goes and why. For example, “here’s the milk. It needs to be put into the fridge to keep it cold”. 

Use signs for new word ideas

There are signs everywhere in public places and when out and about. You can use them to help increase early years vocabulary and get your little one used to using familiar words in different contexts, too. 

Traffic signs often have visuals, which can be a good place to start. You can also use shop names and logos, and even adverts you might see when out and about, such as on the sides of buses, bus shelters, or posters and billboards. Describing what you see and reading signs together can all help with learning new words and phrases and reinforcing ones already known. 

Play word games

When people think of word games, they often jump straight to scabble or word searches, but there are plenty of really accessible games for little ones who aren’t yet reading and writing. The most common of these is the classic “I Spy”. You don’t even have to name the letter it starts with if you’re playing with a child who hasn’t yet learned their letters, but can instead use sounds to help your child identify what it is. For example, if you’re passing a field with livestock in, you could say “I spy, with my little eye, something that goes Moooooo” to help your little one associate the noise it makes with the word ‘cow’.  

Sing songs with missing words

Lots of young children love joining in with songs, and you can use this to help improve their vocabulary, as well as their listening skills. 

• Start off with songs they know really well, such as nursery rhymes, theme songs or favourite pop songs. 
• When singing the words to the song, you can pause just before a particular word is said and encourage your child to shout the missing word.
• You can use actions or gestures to help them guess the missing word if they don’t get it straight away.
• Repeat and revisit familiar songs, but choose different ‘missing’ words to help your little one stop and think about what is missing each time.

Play ‘What’s in the box?’

This is a really simple game that can help little ones form stronger connections between objects and their names and descriptions. Here’s how to play:

• Choose a box that the child can easily open themselves and reach into, but that has some kind of lid or flap. An old cardboard delivery box is often ideal. 
• Put a variety of different objects in the box that are relevant to the child’s age and their interests. Examples include some of their toys, household items, and natural things.
• Ask the child ‘what’s in the box’ and encourage them to get one thing out and hold it up. If they don’t already know what it’s called, you can use simple language to describe the item, such as ‘it’s a red ball’, ‘it’s a leaf’ or ‘it’s a toothbrush’ etc. 
• You can encourage the child to touch all over the item and describe how it feels and looks, using descriptive words such as ‘bumpy’, ‘small’, ‘soft’, ‘furry’, ‘cold’ etc. 
• Ask them what you do with the item or what you use it for.
• To help keep them motivated and excited about the game, you can include some things they love in the box, such as a favourite toy or something they like to eat. 

How Kids Planet support early years vocabulary development

At Kids Planet, we understand and have experienced the benefits of helping children to develop their vocabulary in those crucial early years, and we love supporting them in ways that work for each individual child. Each little one is unique and likes to learn new words and phrases in their own way and at their own pace, so we take time to find enjoyable ways for every child to progress during the time they spend with us. 

If you’re looking for an inclusive, nurturing, safe and fun setting for your child to experience all of the benefits of nursery and learning through play, you can find your nearest nursery today.

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