When modeling language for your kids, sometimes we can't think of new words or types of words to model, so we just use the same ones over and over. Mostly nouns, academic words like colors, shapes, numbers, or maybe a verb or two. Remember, when modeling language, you are not asking questions or expecting a response or imitation from your child. Describing what you see, hear, feel, taste, touch, and smell are great ways to build vocabulary and strengthen connections between words and their meanings. Describing words add variety to your language models and shows your child how to use those new words across contexts!
See: size (big, little), color (green, yellow), shape (round, square)
Hear: loud, quiet, sounds like (moo, vroom, squeak, click,)
Feel: emotions (excited, tired, upset)
Taste: sweet, sour, salty, flavors (chocolate, strawberry)
Smell: clean, stinky, smells like (flowers, vanilla)
Touch: texture (rough, smooth, crunchy, soft), temperature (hot, cold, warm)
Other ways to describe are:
Category: What group does it belong to? (fruits, clothes, furniture, zoo animals)
Parts: What are its parts? (2 tires, 4 legs) What is it made of? (sand, wood, metal)
Location: Where can you find it? (on the road, in the sky, at a grocery store)
Function: What does it do? (spin, float) What do you do with it? (drink, play, squeeze)
Example for the cupcake in the picture above:
Category: Dessert
See: Fits in your hand, pink and blue, round
Parts: Wrapper, frosting, sprinkles
Location: Bakery, kitchen
Touch/Smell/Taste: Spongey, sweet
Function: Eat it
Give it a try at home! Add variety to your descriptions to increase vocabulary and build strong relationships with new words. Describing is a wonderful way to give words to experiences!
Comments