Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Language Development and Communication (LDC)

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children respond to and use a growing vocabulary.

Skill Progression: Respond to and use a growing vocabulary

Age: 42-48 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 42-48 Months.

Read a book about the grocery store with the children, such as Tommy at the Grocery Store by Bill Grossman.

When reading the book discuss the different sections of the grocery store, the colors of different types of foods, the jobs in the grocery store, and where foods are located in the store. How do they place food in the grocery? Ask about and introduce novel vocabulary such as delicatessen, greengrocer, produce, dairy, coupons, specials, etc.

The child is familiar with common colors and various categories of animals, foods, jobs, etc.

Give parents examples of how to incorporate discussions of categories and representatives of categories into daily routines. For example, when grocery shopping, make a list of fruits, vegetables, etc. the child wants to buy. This helps the child begin to do hierarchical thinking. Early childhood educators and parents can encourage children to use relational prepositions when cleaning up or doing daily activities. For example, “The broom is in the closet beside the bucket.” Reinforce the child when he asks about words he doesn’t know. “It is great when you ask about words you want to learn!”