Monday, December 28, 2015

Having Fun With Words For Everyone

By Jessica Stone


Language is such an interesting subject matter. It is how we communicate between one another and it's very important to have a good understanding of how language works and can be manipulated in order to develop a strong set of skills in this arena, which can be very helpful in life overall. Learning how to have fun with words can be a great way to develop such skills.

Here are some ideas of games to play with anyone, from family members to friends, no matter what their age. Word games are good for putting the brain to work and continuously challenging it to get better. Adding a twist to such games can enhance the brain exercise, for example, using rhymes or some other type of trick. The list of options is endless.

A lot of great word games involve using the alphabet as a guideline, marker or starting point. For example, pick a topic such as animals or countries or cities. Each person in a group can take it in turns to name one thing that falls under that topic, but it must begin using the corresponding letter of the alphabet. The first person will choose a word that begins with A, the second must say something using B at the start, and so on and so forth.

To make things even more challenging and trickier for the brain, switch it up by taking the last letter from the previous player's answer and using it as the starting letter for the next answer. This can turn out to be super fun for everyone, trying to stump one another. Adding a time limit will only heighten the tension.

For kids, a game can this can be simplified by doing it on paper. The game 'Name, Animal, Place, Thing' is a great example. Write each of these headings at the top of a column across a page and put the letters of the alphabet down the side.

Set a timer, and have each player fill in as many answers as they can, finding words to fit each topic and alphabet letter. Kids can play this at home, but it's also a great exercise for a school setting. It has the added benefit of keeping them quiet while they think for a while!

There are so many ways to create more challenging levels with any word game. Rhyming can be incorporated to really get people stumped. Why not place some words on pieces of paper into a container and have each person pick a word and then find four words that rhyme? Even better, make up a short poem on the spot!

Other tricks and styles in language can add to the fun besides rhyming. What about using puns, double entendres or onomatopoeia, which is the name for words that reflect the sound something makes? Tongue twisters can be especially difficult and equally funny; whoever says them the fastest wins. Or find the longest word and see who can make the most smaller ones using its letters?




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