How to Teach Irregular Verb Tenses to Kids
As children grow up, they are able to learn a surprising amount of English just by listening to people around them and copying what they hear. On the other hand, when it comes to irregular verb formations, as with past tenses, listening may not be an adequate learning method for children. Luckily, with some practice, activities, and regular reading, you can teach kids irregular verb tenses.
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Things You'll Need
- Children's grammar workbooks
- Children's books
- Computer and Internet access (optional)
Instructions
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Explain to the child how some verbs don't change like the majority of verbs, giving lots of examples of irregular verb formations.
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Use practice worksheets which help children drill irregular verbs forms. These can be found in children's grammar workbooks or online at SuperTeacherWorksheets.com, which offer worksheets on irregular verbs you can print out.
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Read often with the child, making sure to point out irregular verbs and asking him to find some on his own.
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Implement special activities with your child to practice irregular verb tenses. For example, you can have the child locate a paragraph in a cherished book and then rewrite the paragraph in the past tense, making sure before your child starts the activity that the paragraph has verbs that form irregular past tenses. Brain POP Jr., an educational website, offers several ideas for activities by both teachers and parents to teach verb tenses (see Resources).
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If you have computer access, the child can enjoy activities and games online to practice irregular verb formations. ChompChomp.com offers a series of interactive exercises and handouts where you write your answer down (see Resources).
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Gently correct the child when he uses the wrong irregular verb form in conversation. You can ask him to tell you stories requiring the past tense, such as what he did at school that day, in order to get him to practice irregular verb tenses.
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Tips & Warnings
Read with the child on a daily basis to help him master grammar and language skills such as irregular verb changes.
Make sure the child knows the meanings of basic grammar words such as "verb" and "tense" before explaining irregular verbs so that he will not get confused.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Young child learning to write her name image by levo from Fotolia.com
