Which strategy is effective for increasing a child's vocabulary?

Reading books with rich vocabulary is an effective strategy for increasing a child's vocabulary because it exposes them to a wide range of words in meaningful contexts. When children are engaged with high-quality literature, they encounter new vocabulary that is often more sophisticated than what they hear in everyday conversation. This exposure helps them not only learn new words but also understand their usage, synonyms, antonyms, and the nuances of language.

Additionally, reading aloud to children encourages them to hear words pronounced correctly, and it provides opportunities for discussion about the text, further cementing their understanding and retention of new vocabulary. Storytelling and the narrative structure give context to new words, which aids in comprehension and application. This method effectively supports language development and literacy skills, contributing to broader cognitive growth.

In comparison, the other options do not support vocabulary development nearly as effectively. Playing video games may offer some incidental vocabulary exposure, but it lacks the depth and context-rich experience that reading provides. Limiting conversations restricts a child's language development by not allowing them to hear or practice new words organically. Repetitive verbal drills can be helpful for memorization but often lack the engaging narrative and contextual learning that comes from reading varied texts.