“Though this post is sponsored by Zynga, all thoughts and opinions are my own. “
Most of the time when kids are driving their parent’s crazy it’s because they’re bored. Their brains lack stimulation and instead of trying to
Read Before Play
My oldest loves to read but hates being made to read. For the summer, I made it a rule that he has to read before he gets to play. That includes playing indoors/outdoors, watching tv, etc. We bought a timer bookmark so he can keep track of how long he’s been reading and when he’s reached his goal time. We make him read an hour a day and that can be all at once or if we have a busy day then we allow him to split it up into 2-3 increments. Once he has finished reading we ask him questions about what he just read to make sure he’s retaining and not just going through the motion.
The secret to expanding his vocabulary is making him read out loud. You may think your child knows all of the words in their books but sometimes they don’t. Listening to them reading out loud gives you the chance to catch any words they may be mispronouncing. Once you catch a word, correct them and see if they know what it means as well. It’s a great learning experience and also prepares them to grow their vocabulary by recognizing the word the next time it shows up.
Crossword Puzzles
Finding words in a puzzle is fun at any age but its monumental for your child’s vocabulary. Start off easy and let them get the flow of how to complete a crossword puzzle. Once they get the hang out of it, start giving them progressing harder ones to complete. Every time you bump up a level go over the word. Have them pronounce and explain what It means. If they don’t know the answer, ding ding! Another learning opportunity at their door. Even If they can’t comprehend the meaning of a word, searching for it in a puzzle will help them retain it.
Words with Friends
Whether parents like it or not, technology is and will be a large part of our children’s lives. The best way to handle this is to tackle it head on and make it enjoyable for both of you. Games like Words with Friends are a perfect example of this. If you don’t know what Words with Friends is then let me introduce you to your new favorite game!
Words with Friends is a free app that you can download on Apple and Android devices. I love taking a few minutes to play whenever I’m free. There’s no pressure to start and finish a game in one go. Being able to play with my oldest throughout the day is a great way to stimulate our brains. Not only is it helping with both our vocabularies, it makes us feel smart and empowered when one comes up with a high scoring word. He may be 9 years old, but he can put up a good match when he concentrates and thinks his choices through.
No matter what tactics work for your family, engaging with your little one to stimulate their brain and make it fun is key! From dedicated reading to Words with Friends when you have a free moment, you’ve got this!
Check out Words with Friends here if you want to give it a go. Feel free to challenge me anytime!
Wow that is a great way to learn the vocabulary and not to mention, spend some time with your children as well. I always thought words with friends is some kind of app which would be just cash grab and nothing much, but now after reading this blog, I think this might not be the case.
And even make them watch rhymes or talk to them more and more. I think there are so many ways in which we can do it but reading is definitely the best way.
Crossword puzzle is always one of the best play to increase the child vocab and brain functionality.
Crossword are my absolute favorites up to date! My dad would bring home every evening a gazette that featured a chain of crossword puzzles and we’d spend time filling them up. It actually worked on my vocabulary and memory too.
With toddlers, I’m just entering a phase where I’m starting to worry about whether or not I’m exposing them enough to the written word and how it will affect them academically.
My oldest love to read the Readers Digest for learning new words. This magazine had a section to test your knowledge of words.
I do a lot of reading with my kids and it is so great for them. We love doing it and reading together really helps them learn. I also really love word games, and words with friends is always fun!
I just love this game! I always want my kids to have a wide vocabulary. It seems teens think it’s acceptable to speak in “text” and it is not.
Those bookmark timers are great! And it’s always a great idea to find a way to make learning fun by incorporating it into a game.
My kids love word games on my iPad, so I let them do that for screen time.
The more exposure to words they have, the better. What easier way to get that access to them, than reading. 🙂
aww Words with Friends. Why haven’t I played this game in so long!?! it was one of my favorites!!
Crossword puzzles are one of my favourites since childhood. Me and dad used to play it alot. I liked reading about it..
This is a really cool idea Ultimately I think reading is the best way to expand anyone vocab
Wow, these are great tips. My daughter love reading a books a lot but she hates being made to read and she also love doing word search together with his grandfather. I think word with friends is a nice apps that will definitely help to enhance not only the vocabulary of my kids but also mine.
I used to do so many crosswords as a kid! And reach so much as well, which really helped for essays and dissertations later on!
These are nice ways to increase the vocabulary. I will encourage my boys to do the crossword because I believe in its advantage.
Great ideas, thanks for sharing! I just started playing monopoly with my 6 year old grandson and make him read the cards for Community Chest and Chance. He has to sound out all the words but seems to really enjoy the accomplishment when he figures it out!
These are nice ways to increase the vocabulary. I really love word games, and puzzles with friends that is always fun!
I have a pretty major bookworm! She loves you to read but she also love playing Words with Friends.
I’ve been trying to get my grandkids to start playing words with friends but haven’t thought about the crosswords. I’ll have to check that out as well.
I also like game apps where I can play with my kids throughout the day. Will definitely check this one out. My girls will love it!
this is such a cool and fun way to get the kiddos to really expand their vocabulary. when i was little my mom would play the alphabet game with us she would have us each say a new word with each letter of the alphabet during dinner the one who couldn’t finish had to “help” clean.