Learning Concept Words Helps to Expand A Child's Vocabulary

Using concept words with your children helps to expand their vocabulary.  Children need a large vocabulary to be able to learn to read and, just as important, to understand what they read.  We want them to learn not only that ice is cold and fire is hot but also that hot and cold are opposites.  Concept words show relationships between things.

Directions:

Recite “The Grand Old Duke of York.”  Do it as a knee bounce, bringing knees up for “up” and down for “down,” or read a book that introduces concepts (size, opposites, etc.).

The grand old Duke of York

He had ten thousand men.

He marched them up to the top of the hill

And marched them down again.

And when they were up, they were up.

And when they were down, they were down.

When they were only halfway up,

They were neither up nor down.


Tips from The Early Literacy Kit by Betsey Diamant - Cohen & Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting