TITLE:     Vocabulary & Language Development

AUTHOR:   LouAnn Sorensen; NEVADA
          LYON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM

OVERVIEW:  Most young children are able to identify the function of an 
object, but not be able to identify it by name.  This activity allows the 
child to use the function label in order to learn the name.

GRADE LEVEL:    Pre Kindergarten - Kindergarten

I currently use this with 3 to 5 year old special education students.  But it 
will work with children in Pre-Kindergarten and up.


SUBJECT AREA: Language Development, Vocabulary enrichment, any 
academic or pre-academic subject.

PURPOSE: To develop and increase vocabulary and language concepts.

OBJECTIVE: The students will learn and use the appropriate labels for 
different objects correlating to various themes and units.

ACTIVITIES: Collect a variety of items, objects or toys relating to 
specific themes or units and place them in a covered box.  During circle 
time, introduce the box.  Ask each child to close eyes, reach in and remove 
an object. Ask the child to identify the object.  Discuss the various 
attributes of the item: size, color, function, name, etc. Continue around 
the circle, giving each child a turn to participate.

To extend the activity, provide the children with pictures and have them 
match the objects to the pictures.  This allows the children to make the 
transition from a concrete object to a semi-concrete representation.

Once the children are used to this activity, hide the objects in various 
spots in the room and have the children find them from verbal clues.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED: 

A box with a lid, various objects and items relating to the current theme 
or unit of study, i.e. cooking: various kitchen utensils, pots and pans, pot 
holders, measuring cups and spoons, etc. Photographs or other pictures of 
the items.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Incorporate the new vocabulary words into the 
activities of the day and send home the words for the parents to use in 
their daily activities.