Bored games? Developing vocabulary through play.

The summer holidays have officially arrived. Hurrah! I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to a holiday abroad, lots of visits to theme parks and zoos and… no, wait… what I’m actually looking at is 7 weeks of more of the same! Lockdown, walks and wearing a facemask to visit the Spar. At least we won’t have the pressure of ‘the timetable,’ which will allow us to indulge in one of my passions… beating my kids at board games. We have many, many board games- my favourites are the ones that allow me to indulge in one of my other passions- building vocabulary. Honestly, it’s a laugh a minute at this house! So, if you’re like me and wish to make every moment a teaching one, below is a list of my favourite vocabulary building board games…

·         Bananagrams: scrabble without the board. Love it!

·         Think words: how many words can you think of from a specific category that being with the letter… Lots of shouting in this one (or maybe that’s just me).

·         Scrabble. Obviously.

·         Words with Friends. The online version of this allows you to beat your child at a game even if they are staying at Grandma’s. Win!

·         Headbandz. This one is especially great for developing vocabulary in younger children as they have to use their adjectives.

 So there you have it, there’s no time like the present to crack out the board games. I hope nothing will impede your progress (impede is today’s word of the day. FYI, it’s worth 11 points in Scrabble).