When trying to decide on which adjective or verb to use to describe what's going on in one of my children's stories, I try to pick unusual words, words that kids don't use every day. It not only broadens their vocabulary, but gets them thinking about different ways to say things. I believe using words that are not as well known, words that you can wrap your tongue around like a spoonful of peach sorbet, first of all has a long-lasting effect on the reader, but secondly, gives children an insight as to how delicate or bold language can be merely by changing one word. Reading beautiful poetry instills in me a sense of how versatile the English language is; and for children, maybe it can open their senses to the possibility of words.
E. B. White said "Children are game for anything. I throw them hard words, and they backhand them over the net. They love words that give them a hard time, provided they are in a context that absorbs their attention."
I agree, totally, Kath! I have always loved words and I credit that to my mother encouraging me to read, even things that were not easy, such as, Diary of Anne Frank when I was only 10. The dictionary and thesaurus are my best reading companions!
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the "word" about words!