We have previously explored developing vocabulary now we move on to background knowledge.

Why are we exploring all these activities?

The root is to help develop language comprehension at a high level.

This is an important skill if you aim to ensure that your young readers understand what they read.

The more background knowledge a child has the better the understanding they will have when reading a passage or write-up related to the passage.

Imagine a child reading about a story related to a shipping expedition, and the write-up referred to words such as navigation, mast, captain, cargo, crew, compass etc.

If the child has no idea what they mean then the basic understanding of the text is lost to him.

So how do you develop background knowledge on topics and subjects?

Here are a few simple things you can do

1. Reading: Encourage regular reading across different genres and subjects. Fiction, non-fiction, and educational books all contribute to a child’s knowledge base.

So please do not make the mistake of concentrating just on storybooks.

Some of us even think that the textbooks and the recommended literature book for the term or session is all the reading they need!

No!

As a child, I read stories, non-fiction books and poetry. I used a lot of activity books, drew, did lots of colouring, craftworks of various kinds, read cookbooks and followed the instructions to cook meals, read lots of comics, encyclopedias, and as I got older read a lot from Reader’s Digest!

Recommended text books alone will not do the job!

2. Exploration: Take field trips to museums, zoos, science centers, historical sites, and other places of interest. Hands-on experiences can deepen understanding.

If the school is constrained parents should please do this for their kids.

There are lots of places to go to if we just did a little research. ( I will post my researched list some other time)

Local and international travel should not be left out. Introducing children to different cultures helps to broaden their horizon. Use technology to enhance this if physical travel is not possible.

3. Discussions: Engage in conversations about current events, historical events, scientific discoveries, and cultural topics. This helps to encourage critical thinking and you should ask open-ended questions.

This is an important part of a child’s education.

Please talk with the children. You are developing their capacity as you hold discussions with them.

Everything is not about learning (cramming) facts and figures.

4. Media and Technology : Utilize educational TV shows, documentaries, podcasts, and online resources that align with the child’s interests and age level.

There are also educational apps, games and websites designed to teach children in an age-appropriate way.

These mediums can be very engaging and also interactive which will enhance learning and broaden the child’s base knowledge.

5. Activities: Encourage participation in activities such as science experiments, art projects, cooking, gardening, and sports, which provide practical knowledge and can help expand vocabulary.

Be strategic in what you do and you will succeed.

By incorporating a combination of these into a child’s life, you can help them develop a rich and diverse background knowledge base across different subjects and topics.