Preschool teacher Karin: How to build a rich vocabulary in your child – simple tricks that make a big difference

Having a rich vocabulary is crucial for children's language development and academic success. Research shows that children who are exposed to many different words early in life develop better reading comprehension, find it easier to express themselves, and become more independent in their learning (Hart & Risley, 1995). A language-rich environment, where children hear and use many different words, creates the best conditions for strong language development (Dickinson & Tabors, 2001).

Interactive reading – bringing the book to life

Interactive reading involves reading books with a child, rather than to a child. By asking questions, discussing the story, and connecting the book's content to the child's own experiences, a deeper understanding and richer vocabulary are created.

Research shows that children who actively participate in read-alouds develop greater language comprehension compared to those who only listen passively (Whitehurst et al., 1988). When adults ask questions, discuss words, and encourage children to retell what they have heard, both vocabulary and reading comprehension are strengthened.

How to do interactive reading at home:

• Pause and ask: "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think the main character feels?"
• Explore new words: If there's a word the child doesn't know, explain it and use it in other sentences.
• Let the child be the storyteller: Ask the child to retell the book's plot in their own words.

By making read-alouds interactive, it becomes a language-developing and engaging activity that strengthens the child's understanding and expressive ability.

Optimize language development with Readioo

By using Readioo's books and other types of read-alouds, you optimize your child's opportunities to develop a rich and varied vocabulary.

Readioo's books are specifically designed to stimulate active participation while supporting early pseudo-reading – the child's first step towards understanding that written words on a page have meaning. According to Chall (1983), pseudo-reading is an important part of children's reading development, where they begin to understand that text represents spoken language.

How Readioo strengthens early reading development:

• The child gains an early understanding of written language – that every character and word means something.
• By tapping, listening, and talking about the text, the child begins to understand that the written word corresponds to the spoken word.
• Reading aloud becomes a gateway into the world of reading, where the child gradually connects sounds, words, and sentences to what they see on the page.

By combining Readioo's books with an engaging and curious reading experience, you create the very best conditions for your child to take their first steps towards independent reading – and at the same time develop a strong and nuanced language.

Rhymes, songs, and language games – language development through play

Children love rhymes and jingles, and research shows that songs and rhythm help children both memorize and understand new words. When children repeat rhymes and songs, they strengthen their phonological awareness, which is a crucial factor for them to later succeed in decoding written words and learning to read (Goswami, 2001).

How you can play your way to a bigger vocabulary:

• Sing along to children's books that talk and let the child fill in the words.
• Create your own jingles and rhymes – "The car rolls, the cat…?"
• Play "guess the word": Describe a word without saying it and let the child figure out what it is.

Through songs and rhymes, a playful approach to words and sounds is created, which strengthens children's linguistic awareness and makes learning natural and fun.

Make language come alive – every day

Language development happens all the time and in all environments. By reading books, talking, playing with words and language, and exploring the world together, we build a strong vocabulary in our children – and we do it in a way that is both fun and natural.

For those who want to delve deeper into how to support your child's language development, we recommend the free book "Language starts with you!" from Bokstart. It provides concrete tips on how to stimulate your child's language in everyday life.

Download the book here

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Karin Gifvas is a preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, and special education teacher with deep expertise in reading, language, and writing development. With extensive experience working with digital services and products, she has a strong focus on creating accessible and inspiring learning environments. Through her work, she strives to give all children the best conditions to develop a rich language, a strong love of reading, and a curiosity for learning.

References

Chall, J. S. (1983). Stages of Reading Development. McGraw-Hill.

Dickinson, D. K., & Tabors, P. O. (2001). Beginning Literacy with Language: Young Children Learning at Home and School. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Goswami, U. (2001). Early Phonological Development and the Acquisition of Literacy. In S. B. Neuman & D. K. Dickinson (Eds.), Handbook of Early Literacy Research (pp. 111–125). Guilford Press.

Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Whitehurst, G. J., Falco, F. L., Lonigan, C. J., Fischel, J. E., DeBaryshe, B. D., Valdez-Menchaca, M. C., & Caulfield, M. (1988). Accelerating Language Development Through Picture Book Reading. Developmental Psychology, 24(4), 552–559.