Helping Kids Make Personal Dictionaries in a Second Language
Personal dictionaries also called word books or vocabulary journals, give children a sense of ownership in their language learning journey. Instead of relying only on memorization, kids actively collect and revisit words that matter to them.
Whether your child is learning Spanish, Japanese, or French, a personal dictionary turns language into a living, growing record. Here’s how to make it work at home.
1. Choose the Right Format
Use a small notebook, printable template, or digital folder depending on your child’s age and preference. Younger kids may enjoy decorating a paper version with drawings or stickers.
2. Organize by Theme or Alphabet
Some kids prefer alphabetical order (A–Z), while others like grouping by theme—food, animals, colors, emotions. Let your child help choose the layout. This keeps the experience fun and relevant.
3. Add Words Actively, Not Passively
Instead of copying long lists, encourage your child to add words they’ve encountered naturally:
- From a bedtime story
- In a Dinolingo video
- At the grocery store
- During play or conversation
The goal is for the word to mean something to them.
4. Include More Than Just the Word
Each entry can include:
- The word in both languages
- A picture or small drawing
- A sample sentence
- A sticker or symbol that makes it memorable This turns the dictionary into a mini scrapbook of their learning.
5. Revisit and Review
Use the dictionary as a review tool:
- Flip through pages and quiz each other
- Choose a random word and act it out
- Make a sentence using three words from one page Platforms like Dinolingo include printable word cards and vocabulary checklists that complement this activity well.
6. Celebrate Progress
As the pages fill up, acknowledge how many words your child has learned. Consider adding a badge or reward sticker every 10 words, or creating a special section for their “favorite words.”
Final Thoughts
Helping kids build a personal dictionary isn’t just about vocabulary it’s about giving them a sense of ownership and joy in learning a new language. When children see their own progress on paper, motivation grows.
Whether you use pen and paper or pair it with digital tools like Dinolingo, the most important thing is to make the process creative, meaningful, and fun.
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