For parents of young learners
How to improve your child's vocabulary at home
Children with a wider vocabulary find it easier to speak, read, write and explain their ideas. The good news: vocabulary grows through everyday conversation, not long lists. Here are 10 daily habits, word games, and a ready word-of-the-day list.
By the Eloqova team · Updated 26 October 2026
The one rule: a new word is learnt when your child uses it, not when they hear it. Aim for your child to say each new word in their own sentence at least three times that week.
10 daily habits that build vocabulary
- Read aloud every day, even after your child can read alone. Books use words we rarely say.
- Stop on one new word per story and ask, "What do you think it means?"
- Talk in full sentences and describe things: "This mango is ripe and juicy."
- Pick a word of the day and use it at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Ask open questions: "How was the trip?" instead of "Was it fun?"
- Name feelings: frustrated, proud, nervous, excited.
- Upgrade words: when your child says "good", ask for a better word.
- Play word games in the car or while waiting.
- Let your child explain things to you, like how to play their favourite game.
- Keep a word wall or notebook and celebrate every new word.
Word of the day: 15 words for Classes 1 to 3
| Word | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| enormous | very big | The elephant is enormous. |
| tiny | very small | An ant is tiny. |
| curious | wanting to know | I am curious about space. |
| delicious | very tasty | This mango is delicious. |
| exhausted | very tired | I was exhausted after the race. |
| brave | not afraid | She was brave at the doctor. |
| furious | very angry | He was furious when his tower fell. |
| gigantic | huge | We saw a gigantic ship. |
| gentle | soft and kind | Be gentle with the puppy. |
| nervous | a little scared | I felt nervous before my speech. |
| proud | happy about something done well | I am proud of my drawing. |
| rapid | very fast | The river was rapid. |
| silent | with no sound | The library is silent. |
| sparkling | shining brightly | The stars are sparkling. |
| fragile | breaks easily | The glass is fragile. |
Better words to use
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| good | great, excellent, wonderful |
| bad | awful, terrible, poor |
| nice | lovely, pleasant, kind |
| big | huge, enormous, giant |
| small | tiny, little, minute |
| happy | glad, cheerful, delighted |
| sad | upset, unhappy, gloomy |
| said | shouted, whispered, asked |
| went | ran, walked, hurried |
| very cold | freezing, icy |
| very hot | boiling, scorching |
| scared | afraid, frightened, nervous |
Word games to play at home
- Word chain: say a word, and the next player says one starting with its last letter (cat, tiger, rabbit...).
- Describe it: describe an object without naming it, and the others guess.
- Opposites race: say a word, and your child says the opposite as fast as they can.
- Story in three words: pick three random words and make up a story using all of them.
- Twenty questions: think of an animal; the others ask yes-or-no questions to guess it.
How to practise at home
- Choose one word of the day and stick it on the fridge.
- Use the word yourself three times today, and notice when your child uses it.
- Play one word game in the car or before bed.
- At the end of the week, ask your child to make a short speech using five new words.
Questions parents ask
How can I improve my child's English vocabulary?
Read aloud daily, talk in full sentences, use a word of the day, play word games, and get your child to use each new word in their own sentences.
How many new words should a child learn in a week?
Three to five words used often is better than twenty words seen once. Depth matters more than number.
Do word lists help?
Lists help you pick words, but children learn words by using them in conversation, stories and games.