Vocabulary includes knowing the names of things.
Why Is It Important?
It's much easier to decode a word on the page when it's a word you already know. So children with bigger vocabularies have an easier time when they start to read, since it's much easier for them to make sense of what they're sounding out. Children who understand what they're reading are more motivated to keep reading.
What Can You Do to Help Build This Skill?
- Encourage children to learn their native home language first; this makes learning another language (speaking and reading) easier later.
- Talk with children in positive and conversational ways; commands, “fussing,” and “no’s” do not encourage language development.
- Carry on lots of conversations with children.
- Explain the meanings of new words.
- Read books! Picture books use a different vocabulary than casual spoken conversation.