As a parent, you know that reading is vital to your child’s education. But did you know that reading can also help your child build a strong vocabulary?
When children read, they are exposed to a wide range of words and contexts in which they are used, which can help them learn new words and understand their meanings. This, in turn, can improve reading comprehension and overall academic performance.
How can you encourage your child to read more and build vocabulary?
Here are some practical tips:
- Encourage your child to read various texts, including books, magazines, and newspapers. This will expose them to multiple genres and styles and help them learn new words in different contexts.
We know how challenging this can be with the busy schedules that most families with primary school-aged children can have. That’s why we have created the Classic Readers Club, a weekly reading club where students come online to read a classic text. Find out more about it on our sister site, 11PlusEssay.co.uk. We have a reading club for children in Year 5 and Year 4.
Back to the tips to encourage your child to read more – and improve their vocabulary for the 11 Plus exams:
- Read aloud to your child, and discuss the meanings of new words together. This can help them learn new words more interactively and engagingly.
- Encourage your child to pay attention to words they don’t know and encourage them to look up the definitions in a dictionary.
- Discuss the meanings of new words in context, and ask your child to use them in sentences to help them remember them.
- Encourage your child to read independently, and allow them to choose their books within their reading level. This will help them develop a love of reading and a sense of ownership over their learning.
By incorporating reading into your child’s daily routine and making it an enjoyable and engaging activity, you can help them build a strong vocabulary that will serve them well in their academic pursuits.