What should educators continually work to expand in children?

Expanding children's vocabulary is essential for their overall language development and comprehension skills. A rich vocabulary allows children to better express their thoughts, engage in conversations, and understand what they read and hear. As children encounter new words, they learn to connect them with their experiences, which enhances their cognitive and social development. Moreover, a robust vocabulary is closely linked to academic success across various subjects, as it enables children to grasp more complex concepts in reading and other areas of learning.

While a basic command of language is important, focusing solely on this aspect does not empower children to communicate effectively or understand nuanced language. Memory skills are also valuable, but relying heavily on memorization may hinder the development of critical thinking and language application. Additionally, fostering dependence on instructional tools can limit children's ability to explore and learn autonomously, which can stifle their natural curiosity and motivation to learn. Therefore, prioritizing vocabulary expansion is key to developing well-rounded, confident communicators.