Language Games for Those Long Days of Summer

Summer is finally here and your children have already exhausted all of their activities. Even television and video games have lost their zeal! Well, hang in there because below are a couple of simple games to play during those lazy days of summer. When it's too hot outside or you are on a long trip in the car these are simple things you can play that will enhance language skills and work that brain muscle.

The first activity is all about fact and opinion. Be sure that your child knows the difference. If they don't discuss with them that a fact is something everyone knows is true and that an opinion is an individual point of view which can differ from one person to another. Give a few examples so that they get the point. Next, tell your child that you are going to give a statement and that they will raise one finger if the think the statement is a fact and two fingers if they think the statement is an opinion. They get a point for everyone they get correct. Switch on them and have them think up statements and you hold up the fingers. These statements are also great conversation starters.

The second activity helps with completing sentences, utilizing adjectives, and increasing vocabulary. Come up with some adjectives such as disgusting, crunchy, horrible, silly, or fuzzy. Then have your child make a five word sentence with that word. Younger kids will enjoy just trying to get the right number of words in the sentence. Older kids may like to be timed or compete for who can come up with the sentence first. Regardless of the way you decide to play it's a great game that will stretch their brain muscles.