Milford chronicle., 1925-05-08
ENLARGING THE CHILD'S
VOCABULARY
Ann ROe-AndersOn

Numerous ways are given to en-
large ones vocabulary, but as is
the case in many matters, it is best,
/ in order that the adult may know
many words, to begin with the
child"
/ If the children we had learned
easily and naturally, few thousand
words insted of only a few hundred
we should now be able. under most
circumstances, to speak without
hesitation or embarrassment, and
there would be no need Ito enlarge
our vocabulary" by setting oursel-
yes the stint of learning each day
new list from the dictionary.
Over and over we employ the
same words, trying vainly to ex-
press thoughts about our various
experiences. If words were worn
out by use we should soon find our
selves greatly at a loss to carry on
our "every day" conversations.
When we make bold to use a word
now and then that is not worn
threadbare, the blank look of amaze
ment or the sly smile causes us to
feel embarrassed, but of these words
were inherent from childhood we
should not be self-conscious in
their use.
An interesting way for the child
to get a large, practical vocabulary
is through the Synonym Game.
The child wins" who can tell or
write the greatest number of syn
Onyms for words taken from some
familiar verse. such as:
"Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To get her poor doggie a bOne
When she got there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor doggie had
none"
synonyms for went: walked,
ran, hurried.
"Cupboard": kitchen-cabinet, pam
try. stOTe-rOOm.
Cot: (Which the children should
be taught never to use with have)
arrived, reached.
Bare: Empty, stripped.
OF course there are many others.
A verse from Stevenson may be
used:
"A child should always say
what's true,
And speak when he is spoken to,
And behave mannerly at table;
At least as far as he is able"
True: honest, reliable, good.
Speak: answer, talk converse,
chat.
Behave: act, appear.
"Mannerly": ladylike, gentle
manly, graciously, politely.
The little ones enjoy the game
and gain fluency of speech uncon-
sciously The older children often
rule that the words which they |
have used must be defined, and !
using a derivative of the !
word. A book of synonyms studied |
after the game is over shows them |
other words which they might have
used.
The National Council of Women
of the United States, which will en-
tertain the International Council of !
Women in Washington, May Ala, !
passed resolutions at a recent meet
ing from which we quote the fol-
lowing:
"The Council urges upon it's con-
stituent organizations the duty and |
privilege offered its members as
women with a vision of the future,
to further the need of every child to !
be understood, to be loved and wise-
ly developed"
In the kindergarten the child is
under the care of those who have
made a study of his needs, and care
full preparation has been made to
supply them. A year amid such |
surroundings is the right of every |
child. If there is no kindergarten |
for the children of your neighbor-
hood, write to the National Kinder
ten Association, West 40th Street |
New York, for information and ad-
vice with regard to getting one es-
tablished
THE UNDERSTANDING HEART
Margaret Conn RhOads