Vocabulary Control refers to the competency of effective and proper use of vocabulary. The basic aim of the vocabulary control is to learn the art of using words at the right place, right time and right way. It is more important to know the use of the word in different situations than to learn spelling or meaning of words only. Some of the basic principles involved in designing activities for developing competencies for vocabulary control are as follows:
The basic approach of developing proper vocabulary control is to teach children the art of playing with words. Learners should be allowed to play with words in as many ways as possible.
As vocabulary is in use all through the day, it would be better to design activities pertaining to different periods of daily life. In this context, it would be better to take help of folk games and modernize them as many of them were designed to teach vocabulary control. See Modern Creative games for details of some games and activities in this regard.
Identify the learning style of your child. See how to identify the learning style of your child?
Activities should be designed linking with the learning style of the child. A spatial child may need pictorial linkage to the words. See Bal Kalrav and Joyful Grammar for a large number of word games linked with pictures and geometrical designs. A rhythmic child may need words interwoven in the form of songs. See Modern Creative games for details of some such games and activities.
Newspaper and magazines carry large number of games and activities on regular basis. It would be better to encourage children to play those games.
Children spend lot of time in waiting alone and in groups. For example, at bus stand, railway station or at home waiting for parents. Vocabulary games should be designed to utilize these waiting time for learning vocabulary.
Learning is best if it is linked with emotions. Learners may be asked to play with words in an emotional set up. For example, they may be asked to find full form taking their own name as acronym to display the qualities they would like to acquire on becoming adult. Similarly, they may find full form of the acronym made from the names of their parents, brothers and sisters, friends, towns, countries, etc. They may be permitted to use dictionary also. This would help in having more and more familiarity with the dictionary.
Word games may be designed to suit the festivals and other occasions. For some of such games see Joyful Grammar.
Learners may be encouraged to play group games related to word playing such as Word Tennis, Word Chain, etc. See Modern Creative games also for some such games.
For details
consult a Creative Learning Volunteer.
©2001-2009 APCL
Last changed:
Wed Jan 30 22:48:14 2013