Word Power Up! Fun Games that Build Vocabulary and Spark Curiosity
Word games are more than just finding hidden words in a dusty dictionary – they’re a playground for language learning and development! Studies by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development show that engaging in word games can significantly improve vocabulary skills in children as young as 5 years old.
HOW DO CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM WORD GAMES?
Here’s why these engaging activities are perfect for young minds:
- Spelling Champs: Word games like Polygon and Word Searches require building words from letters, giving kids valuable practice and helping them solidify spelling skills. As Arthur W. Heilman and Elizabeth A. Holmes highlight in their book, “Playing word games strengthens a child’s foundation in language mechanics, making them more confident and efficient spellers. To foster a love of language and reading, one must employ word games, figurative language games, riddles, critical reading exercises, and meaning-finding exercises.”
- Vocabulary Boost: As children encounter new words and try to decipher them, their vocabulary expands. This not only improves communication skills but also fuels curiosity to learn the meanings and uses of these new words. A study published in the journal “Reading Psychology” found a strong correlation between vocabulary size and reading comprehension, highlighting the importance of building a strong word bank.
- Strategic Thinking: Games like Wordle-alikes challenge strategic thinking as players analyze letter combinations and make educated guesses. This strengthens critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, as kids learn to weigh possibilities and make informed decisions. This process simultaneously aids in students acquiring critical reading, language skills, vocabulary and language acquisition according to Heilman and Holmes.
Here at CurioBuddy, we make word games or CurioWords even more social and engaging!
- Multiplayer Mayhem: A game of CurioWords transforms into a collaborative adventure! Team up with friends and family to find words together, making learning a fun and interactive experience. It’s a great way to foster teamwork and communication skills, as children learn to collaborate and strategise towards a common goal.
- Bragging Rights & Sharing Fun: Completed a challenging puzzle or aced a CurioWords game? Share your score and the game link with your friends on social media! It’s a great way to spark friendly competition and encourage everyone to join the wordplay fun. CurioBuddy’s built-in sharing features make it easy to connect with others and celebrate achievements.
- Building Confidence: Solving puzzles and mastering vocabulary builds confidence in young learners. Seeing their progress and achievements motivates them to keep exploring the world of words, fostering a lifelong love of learning. They become not just better readers but stronger writers too.
So, the next time you’re looking for a fun and educational activity with a social twist, grab a CurioBuddy word game and get ready to build your vocabulary, challenge your friends, and unlock the power of words!
Try this game of CurioWords below and see the benefits firsthand.
More CurioWords games coming soon!
