8 mistakes when learning vocabulary with children
We hope that our children receive a good education, that they recognize their strengths and receive individual support. And that, even in the best case scenario, they enjoy learning a new language.
These good wishes at the kitchen table in the evening often look like a naive pipe dream: Even with the third query, the vocabulary is still incorrect. The child is annoyed and frustrated — and so are you. The homework is in a few days, which puts additional pressure on you. You don't want everyone to be in a bad mood again at dinner and you don't like yourself in the role of “query command”: reminding about learning, querying, reminding again, researching learning methods...
Why is learning vocabulary so bad? You would like to save your child all the hassle and use the time spent all your vocabulary work on something nice. But how?
Take a look at our 8 mistakes when learning vocabulary with children and check whether you recognize yourself in it. With our appropriate tips, you can adjust your learning routine so that it is no longer tough but easier — for both of you.
1. Your child learns too much at once
If the index card box is already overflowing, your child would like to flee from the flood of vocabulary. This is where the first tip comes in: Divide the vocabulary into “bites.” This is much tastier for motivation, because the mountain of vocabulary no longer seems invincible. If the vocabulary list is very long, divide it into sections and learn them gradually. Recommendations for how many words you can learn per day range from 7 to 10 pieces. This also always depends on the daily condition.
In this blog post You can find even more tips when there is a lot of vocabulary to learn.
2. Your child learns too irregularly
Whether a new word is saved successfully depends on how often it is retrieved. In other words: Repeating helps you remember! It is therefore important to keep up with vocabulary training. So not: Everything at once and one day before the test - but: a manageable portion every day. Regular repetition ensures that the vocabulary is transferred to long-term memory, where it is stored for the long term. Regularity also helps to develop a routine: This makes vocabulary training a habit.
3. Your child takes too few breaks while studying
When learning vocabulary, it is important to regular breaks to insert. This is because the brain needs time to digest when it is fed with so many new words. Depending on the form of the day, vocabulary learning should every 25 to 45 minutes be interrupted to relax your head. Small activities such as getting out into the fresh air, doing a small sports exercise or listening to your favorite song are ideal: That's when you get on with it fresh again.
4. Your child has no learning method
One of the most important tips for learning success is that the vocabulary is served “tasty”: Instead of being sober in the vocabulary book, it is better to garnish with pictures, audio and animations. There is now a wide range of learning methods to choose from. The classic flashcards I think everyone knows you. You can also mark the flash cards with colors, sketches, and stickers to make them more interesting. Post-its with vocabulary You can distribute it anywhere in the house and so your child can always see it in everyday life. If they also like to learn digitally, should you use a Vocabulary trainer app , which can create a schedule and thus help with targeted preparation and repetition. You don't necessarily have to choose a tool as long as you find a mix that effectively helps your child learn vocabulary. Because simply looking at the vocabulary is of little use.
How effective is writing off vocabulary to remember it? Read in this blog post our answer to that.
5. You learn with an unsuitable app
The days when the smartphone was only seen as a daddy machine are gone. There is now a large number of Vocabulary trainer appsthat make learning vocabulary easier. It is particularly practical when the app is Organize vocabulary learning supports, own vocabulary can be entered and they even have a learning plan created so that your child can remember practice independently is introduced. The app should also be able to query vocabulary without the Internet in order to prevent distraction due to messages. Just try out a few to find the right digital companion for your child.
Read more hereif you're interested in learning vocabulary effectively with your smartphone.
6. Your child is bored learning vocabulary
Learning vocabulary is usually associated more with yawning than with cheering. The reason for this is usually perfect monotonous and unsuitable learning methods How to learn directly from the book and copy it into the vocabulary book. It is important to bring the language behind it to life. On the one hand, your child memorizes the vocabulary better, and on the other hand, it also much more fun and motivation is higher. When the index cards hang out your throat again, you can embellish them: with suitable sketches, which are henceforth associated with the vocabulary.
🤯 Just nervous or is there more to it? Read our post about Test anxiety in children: That's what parents should know
A word is also easier for your child to remember if it is a context is set. That means: Not only do you learn the words by heart, but always one example sentence to add. And who says that your child has to learn alone? Encourage the child to study with their friends in order to interrogate each other and come up with funny mnemonics about complicated and hard-to-remember vocabulary. Age-appropriate Video clips or audio plays On topics that really interest the child, can be an additional motivation.
7. Learn vocabulary with all senses
You probably already know this tip: Who is learning as possible activates many senses, learn better. It helps some if they repeat the word Write down, others when they listen or pronouncing. Perhaps you would like to rhyme or sing the word. Try out what works best for your child. Or use a combination of all: the more versatile, the better.
💡 Do you have an emergency? Then read our 10 tips for good grades
8. That's how it stays in: clap, kick, wave
Stop! This tip doesn't mean that your child has to crush the index box. But: Appropriate movements and gestures Maximize learning success in an entertaining way: For example, if your child wants to learn the English word “punch” for “hit,” they could hint at a boxing movement with their fist or wave at “wave” while saying it. Scientific studies showthat this learning method helps you learn a lot easier and longer to memorizeas if they were just being read. It's actually logical: Once you've done something yourself, it's easier to remember it.
Would you like to know why this learning method works so well? You can find out more about it here.
Our bonus tip when it's burning
Do you have the feeling that your child is no longer keeping up with learning vocabulary? If you've reached this point, don't panic! There is a smart tip on how your child can catch up efficiently without digging out the old school books and vocabulary lists. Learning therapist Helke Voss-Becher from Leno Verlag betrayed him to us.
Practice the most common vocabulary first! Get lists where vocabulary is ordered by frequency. You can find them online within a very short time.
Why does that make sense?
“Basic vocabulary,” or also known as “minimal vocabulary,” means the number of words needed to understand a large part of any text. In English, the basic vocabulary comprises around 850 words. Once your child has learned the 1000 most common words, they can understand 88% of the language spoken, for example. In comparison, a native speaker uses around 750 different words every day.
Maybe that motivates you to start right away: Here you can find one List of the 200 most common words, which you can learn in the CABUU app or alternatively download as a PDF.
A short summary at the end:
Our tips so that your child can enjoy learning vocabulary again
- The vocabulary before learning divide into portionsso that your child is not “overwhelmed” by the mass of learning material.
- Lieber Learn and repeat a little bit every day, rather than irregularly large quantities.
- Regularly Breathe insert, whether when learning or querying.
- Try out learning methods that vary Activate senses. Don't just learn from books or vocabulary books!
- Tried Vocabulary apps off.
- Diversification provides lasting motivation: vocabulary games, age-appropriate videos and books promote the development and strengthening of vocabulary.
- Makes suitable gestures or movements for vocabulary.
- Build one for now solid basic vocabulary If your child has missed the connection.
Are you looking for vocabulary lists?
In these blog posts, we've collected some for you, with free PDFs to download:
