A strong vocabulary is the secret ingredient behind so many school skills – from understanding tricky comprehension passages to writing more interesting sentences and tackling SEAG questions with confidence.
The good news? Growing your child’s vocabulary doesn’t have to mean endless word lists or dull drills. With a few small habits at home, you can help your child pick up new words naturally, almost without noticing.
Here are six everyday strategies that make a real difference.
1. Read (widely & often)
It sounds obvious, but reading remains the single most powerful way to build vocabulary. The key is variety. My kid loves LEGO, so we read a lot of Lego books in our house.
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- Mix it up: Encourage your child to read not just storybooks, but also comics, magazines, age-appropriate news articles, and even recipes while preparing food together. Each type of text introduces different words.
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- Read aloud together: Pause when you come across an unfamiliar word. Ask, “What do you think this means?” Talk about it, and try using it in a new sentence.
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- Make it visible: Try a simple “Word Wall” at home. Write down new words on sticky notes and put them somewhere your child will see every day — the fridge, bedroom wall, or even the bathroom mirror.
Resources to try:
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- Local library (most now offer free access to e-books and audiobooks).
2. Turn on Subtitles (Captions)
One of the simplest switches you can make at home is to turn on subtitles while your child is watching TV, Netflix or Disney+.
Research shows that reading subtitles while listening to dialogue helps children connect the spoken word with the written form – which strengthens memory, improves reading fluency, and supports vocabulary growth.
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- Start with shows they enjoy. The more engaged they are, the more they’ll absorb.
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- Stick to same-language subtitles. English audio with English subtitles works best.
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- Watch twice. The first time, just enjoy. The second time, encourage your child to notice any new words.
Resources:
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- Turn On The Subtitles Campaign (with an introductory video of Jack Black)
3. Word-a-Day Tools & Micro-Learning
Introducing just one new word a day is a simple but powerful way to expand vocabulary. It’s low-effort, memorable, and even fun.
One tool I’ve been using at home is the “Storyteller’s Word a Day “by Mrs Wordsmith. It introduces children to one rich new word each day with:
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- A child-friendly definition
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- An example sentence in context
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- Engaging illustrations and usage prompts
To make it stick:
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- Ask your child to use the new word in a sentence at dinner.
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- Look out for the word in reading or TV shows – celebrate when they spot it!
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- Keep a running list of “words we’ve learned this week” to review on weekends.
Other resources:
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- Free “Word of the Day” apps for iOS/Android
4. Use Rich Vocabulary in Everyday Talk
One of the simplest (and most overlooked) ways to grow your child’s vocabulary is to use more challenging words in daily conversation. Children learn so much just by hearing how words are used in context.
For example, instead of saying:
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- “It’s not going to happen.”
you could say:
- “It’s not going to happen.”
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- “It’s highly unlikely.”
Your child may ask what it means – which is a perfect chance to explain. Even if they don’t ask, regular exposure to richer words helps them become familiar with new language over time.
5. Listen to Audiobooks
Audiobooks are a fantastic way to expose children to rich language, especially when sitting down to read isn’t possible. Hearing fluent narration helps children pick up new words, understand tone and expression, and enjoy stories they might not yet be able to read independently.
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- In the car: Turn car journeys into story time with audiobooks on Spotify, Audible, or through your library’s app.
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- At bedtime: Listening before sleep can help children wind down while still absorbing new vocabulary.
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- Paired reading: Encourage your child to follow along in the book while listening to the audiobook – this strengthens word recognition.
Many charity shops /Ebay/Vinted offer second hand CDs of books at a fraction of a price if you have a CD player at home.
Resources:
6. Recycle New Words Regularly
Learning a new word once isn’t enough – to make it stick, children need to meet it again and again. This is called spaced repetition, and it’s one of the most effective ways to retain vocabulary.
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- Revisit the “Word of the Day” at the end of the week in a mini quiz.
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- Keep a “New Words Jar” — pull one out at random during dinner and use it in a sentence.
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- Encourage your child to spot the word again in reading, TV, or even Brainio quizzes.
Resources:
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- Anki (free spaced-repetition flashcard app)
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- Quizlet (custom word sets with built-in review)
Final Thoughts
Consistency beats intensity. Ten minutes of reading, a show with subtitles, one “Word of the Day,” listening to a chapter in the car, or revisiting new words at the end of the week may not feel like much, but these small habits add up to a big difference in vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.
At Brainio Academy, we’ll soon be adding optional vocabulary quizzes to support children who need that extra boost. In the meantime, try one of these strategies this week – and let me know how it goes.
For more study and exam tips, check out our blog: 7 SEAG Exam Technique Tips Every Parent Should Know.
#VocabularyBuilding #SEAGPrep #ParentTips #ReadingForKids #BrainioAcademy #SEAG #TransferTest
