What did you say.pdf

The Problem:

One of the easiest mistakes to make in working with children is to talk to children as we would talk to another adult. We forget that our vocabulary has developed over many years time and that children have a much more limited vocabulary than we do. Also, children are different from one another, some have extensive vocabularies, others have a limited vocabulary. In talking with a group of children, it is important to speak using simple terms so that your point is communicated effectively to all the children. For example while the word “vocabulary” may communicate to some children, all children know the word “words.” Therefore, “words” may be the better word to use when teaching a lesson to children or in a small group discussion. If we really want to get our point across, it is very important to make truth clear and simple.

This does not mean that we cannot use unfamiliar terminology with children. Part of what we are teaching children in our curriculum is a Biblical vocabulary. But new terms, such as “sovereign” must be simply and clearly defined to children. Explanations must include only familiar words. For example, it would not be helpful to explain the word “sovereign” to children as “having undisputed right to make decisions and act accordingly” (The New Webster’s Dictionary) or even as “supreme and absolute in authority.” It would be much clearer to children to define “sovereign” as “greater than anything or anybody” or “in charge of everything” or “in control of everything.”

A Few Helpful Tips:

1. Because I speak Spanish, one thing that has helped me in learning to talk with children is to ask myself, “Do I know this word in Spanish?” If I don’t, chances are the word is too difficult for children. For example, I don’t know the word “gargantuan” in Spanish so if I were going to convey that concept in Spanish, I would use the word “grande” which means “big.” Big would be a better word to use with children than gargantuan. If you know a foreign language, try to see if you know the words you are using with children in that language. If you don’t, think about how you would convey that concept and then use those words.
2. Think through how you will say something to children and then ask, “Is there a simpler way I can say this?”
3. Ask for feedback. For example, if you are leading a small group and you have just asked a question or explained something, ask the children, “Can you explain to me what I just said?” If they cannot give you a correct explanation, your language may have been too difficult for them. When a number of children answer a question wrong, it is not necessarily true that they do not know the answer to your question. They may not understand the question. If you get a number of wrong responses, ask the children to tell you what you asked.
4. Practice on a child about the same age as the children you teach. Obviously your choice of words will vary depending on the age group you teach so practicing on a child the same age as the children you lead will help you define “first grade vocabulary” or “three-year-old vocabulary,” etc. You may want to ask the child to raise his hand whenever you say a word he doesn’t know.

Objection Overruled

An objection to using simple vocabulary with children is that it is important for children to increase their vocabulary. While this is true, we are not teaching vocabulary. We are teaching the Bible and we want the truth to be communicated clearly to children. In the process, we will teach vocabulary as part of the truth we are communicating but ideally, we will clearly define those new words as we use them.

A Few More Examples, Please

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are a few word pictures demonstrating the use of simple vocabulary.

• Jesus ascended (a perfectly understandable term for sixth graders but not necessarily for six-year-olds) could be stated as Jesus went up or Jesus went up to heaven. You may teach the word ascended but it must be defined. For example: Jesus went up to heaven. Do you want to know a big word for Jesus went up to heaven? Ascended. Jesus ascended to heaven means Jesus went up to heaven.
• Who are the legitimate children of God? could be Who are the real children of God?
• The fundamental truth could be the main truth or the most important truth.

• The son squandered his wealth could be the son wasted his money.

One Simple Rule

One simple safeguard to keep in mind is that the vocabulary of the children you teach is probably more limited than you think it is. Although individual children may have extensive vocabularies, the average child you teach probably knows less words than you think he knows.