Vocabulary Jar | Fun Family Literacy Idea

The Power of Vocabulary

Exposure to new words at a very young age plays one of the MOST important roles in developing a robust and wide vocabulary and building strong language and literacy skills.

Research shows that while word attack skills and letter–word identification at the beginning of first grade are strong predictors of reading comprehension at the end of first grade, vocabulary was the best predictor of reading comprehension at the end of 2nd and 3rd grades.

Knowledge of many different words contributes to:

• Improved listening and communications skills
• Stronger reading, language, and comprehension skills
• Critical thinking and ability to process information
• Academic success
  
  

A wide vocabulary also equips a student with the words they need to express themselves in both written and spoke formats, which does wonders for personal growth, self-esteem, and relationship-building.

How to Make a Vocabulary Jar

Does your child's face fill with dread when you mention practicing "vocabulary?" You're not alone. Learning new words can feel overwhelming for young kids sometimes, but "vocabulary practice" doesn't always need to be monotonous flashcards and daunting worksheets. Enter . . . the vocabulary jar!

A dedicated vocabulary jar that lives in your home encourages children to regularly learn and practice new words along with their definitions.

Materials needed:

•  A jar or something to put the words in
•  Markers or colored pencils
•  Index cards or paper

Instructions:
1. Pick out words your child needs to learn - remember to use high-frequency words as well as fun, wild words.
2. Cut up paper big enough on which to fit the words (one word per piece of paper).
3. Have your child write out the word and its definition and decorate the paper (repeat this step with each word).
4. Fold up each paper so they can fit in the jar and place the jar in an easy to access place in the house.
5. Start a new tradition with your child where they pick a word out of the jar and practice it with you! Maybe it's every morning when they wake up, every night when they go to bed, or every time you head out to the car.

Tips for practicing vocabulary words:

• Describe the meaning of the word in a kid-friendly way. Discuss its definition and sound it out together. (Look it up in dictionary together!)
  
• Use the word in a sentence. Use the word in a sentence and ask your child to do the same. (Even have them write a sentence using the vocabulary word.)
  
• Practice word association. Ask your child what word pops into their head when they hear this new word.
  
• Draw it. Ask your child to draw a picture or symbol that represents the word to them.
  
• If your child has a problem with a word, help them sound it by breaking the word into syllables or word families.
  
  

After you practice a word from the jar together, return it to the jar and only remove it for good once your child has learned and remembered it.

Don't let the fun stop with the jar! Once your child has learned a new word, make it an active part of every day - use the word in regular conversation with them, play the word in a game like Scrabble or Boggle, you name it!

Sources:

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248940899_The_Importance_of_Early_Vocabulary_for_Literacy_Achievement_in_High-Poverty_Schools
• https://www.readingrockets.org/research/topic/vocabulary