Many of the vocabulary study techniques we’ve talked about before on this blog – making flash cards, practicing spelling, looking up word roots, working with a partner to quiz each other – are as appropriate for children as they are for adults learning new English vocabulary words. As with adults, the more children read, the more words they’ll learn, and seeing new words in context will help them learn words more quickly. There are many resources available to parents to help their children improve their vocabulary, including on-line learning sites, printed books and magazines, and even television shows. Here are some of the ones you might want to look for, if you have children and would like them to enjoy the same benefits you do from your own vocabulary study. It’s never too early to help children gain the advantage of having a large, flexible, and comprehensive vocabulary!

Magazines

Kids Discover (ages 6 and older, US publisher)
Information on science, nature, and geography.

Ask: Arts and Sciences for Kids (ages 6 and older, US publisher)
Puzzles, articles, and information about artists and inventors.

Puffin Post (all ages, UK publisher)
Focuses on books and reading.

AQUILA (ages 8 and older, UK publisher)
In-depth discussions of a range of topics, from art to science to zoology.

Books

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier (ages 8-12)
A charming story that introduces children to new vocabulary and the power of words.

The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter (ages 4-8)
A fable of a boy whose love for words inspires those around him.

The Weighty Word Book and Weighty Words, Too by Paul Levitt (ages 9 and older)
Two excellent books for older children looking to expand and improve their vocabulary.

Oxford School Dictionary (UK publisher)
A good resource for students that combines definitions, examples of how to use each word, etymology, and grammatical information.

On-line Resources

Storyline Online
A streaming video program featuring actors reading children’s books out loud. This site also includes lessons and activities associated with each book.

Harcourt Brace’s Spelling Site
Interactive word-building and spelling quizzes suitable for all ages.

One of the most important things you can do to help your children improve their vocabulary, and learn to love to read, is to read to them every day. Children learn by imitating the people around them, and if you show them that you enjoy words, and stories, and learning new vocabulary, then they’ll follow your lead. Your local library may have “story time” sessions that are free and open to the public, and children of all ages enjoy going to the library to pick out their own books. An early start in reading will help children once they’re in school, and contribute to their success throughout life.