Why Action Words Matter Before LKG
When your child starts LKG, the teacher will use action words constantly. "Sit down." "Stand up." "Open your book." "Come here." "Show me." "Look at this."
A child who understands and can use these words walks into school ready. A child who does not spends the first few months confused, following what other children do rather than understanding the teacher directly.
Action words - verbs - are the engine of every English sentence. A child can communicate with just a noun and an action word. "Dog running." "Baby crying." "Ball bouncing." That is not perfect grammar, but it is real communication. And real communication is the starting point for everything else.
The Essential Action Words List
We have organised these into groups based on how and where children encounter them. Focus on one group at a time.
Group 1: Classroom Actions
These are the words teachers use most in LKG:
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| sit | "Sit on the chair" |
| stand | "Stand in a line" |
| open | "Open your book" |
| close | "Close your eyes" |
| look | "Look at the board" |
| listen | "Listen to the story" |
| show | "Show me your drawing" |
| give | "Give me the crayon" |
| come | "Come here" |
| go | "Go to your seat" |
How to practice: Play "Teacher Says" at home (like Simon Says but with "Teacher says"). This is how children will actually hear these words used at school.
Group 2: Body Movement Words
These come up during physical activities, games, and PE:
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| run | "Run to the tree and back" |
| jump | "Jump like a frog" |
| walk | "Walk slowly" |
| clap | "Clap your hands" |
| hop | "Hop on one foot" |
| dance | "Dance to the music" |
| stop | "Stop right there" |
| turn | "Turn around" |
| catch | "Catch the ball" |
| throw | "Throw it to me" |
How to practice: Make it physical. Say the word, do the action together. Children remember action words far better when their body is involved. This connects to how play-based learning works - movement activates more of the brain.
Group 3: Daily Routine Words
These help children describe their day and follow instructions at home:
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| eat | "Eat your food" |
| drink | "Drink your water" |
| wash | "Wash your hands" |
| brush | "Brush your teeth" |
| sleep | "Time to sleep" |
| wake | "Wake up!" |
| wear | "Wear your shoes" |
| read | "Let us read a book" |
| draw | "Draw a picture" |
| play | "Go and play" |
How to practice: Narrate your child's routine in English. "Now we are washing hands. First we turn on the water. Then we put soap. We rub our hands. Now we rinse." This builds action word vocabulary naturally, without any drilling.
Group 4: Creative and Social Words
These are essential for group activities and art classes:
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| make | "Let us make something" |
| build | "Build a tall tower" |
| cut | "Cut along the line" |
| paste | "Paste it here" |
| color | "Color the flower" |
| share | "Share with your friend" |
| help | "Can you help me?" |
| try | "Try again" |
| wait | "Wait for your turn" |
| say | "Say hello" |
How to practice: Do craft activities together in English. Making something with your child while describing every action in English teaches 5-10 action words in a single sitting - and the child does not even realize they are learning.
Group 5: Describing Actions (For Advanced Learners)
Once the basics are solid, introduce words that add detail:
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| push | "Push the door" |
| pull | "Pull the handle" |
| carry | "Carry your bag" |
| hold | "Hold my hand" |
| point | "Point to the cat" |
| count | "Count the blocks" |
| sing | "Sing a song" |
| cry | "The baby is crying" |
| laugh | "We all laughed" |
| hide | "Let us hide!" |
How to Teach Action Words at Home
Method 1: Action Songs
Songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "Hokey Pokey" are packed with action words. Children learn them without effort because the melody makes them memorable and the actions make them physical.
Sing these daily. They are more effective than flashcards because children use the words in context while moving their bodies.
Method 2: Narrate Everything
This is the simplest and most powerful method. Just describe what you and your child are doing throughout the day, in English.
"You are pouring the water. Careful - do not spill it! Now you are drinking. Good."
"I am cutting the vegetables. Can you wash the tomatoes? Thank you for helping!"
Research on language development in early childhood consistently shows that narration is one of the strongest vocabulary builders. The child hears the word, sees the action, and connects them automatically.
Method 3: Action Card Games
Write action words on cards (or use pictures). Pick a card and act it out. The other person guesses the word. Then switch.
This is basically charades for toddlers. It works brilliantly because:
- The child has to understand the word to act it out
- They have to produce the word to guess correctly
- It is genuinely fun and can be played for 5-10 minutes without any resistance
Method 4: "I Can" Sentences
Ask your child to complete "I can..." sentences.
"I can jump." "I can run fast." "I can draw a house." "I can eat with a spoon."
This practices action words inside a simple sentence structure. It also builds confidence - every sentence is about something they CAN do. This positive framing connects to building early speaking confidence.
Method 5: Video Descriptions
Show your child a short video clip (30 seconds) with the sound off. Ask them to describe what is happening.
"The boy is running. He is jumping over the wall. Now he is climbing the tree."
This is advanced but incredibly effective for children aged 4-5. It practices action words in real time and builds the narrative skills they will need in school.
How Many Words Should a Child Know Before LKG?
There is no magic number. But as a general guide:
- Age 3: 10-15 basic action words they understand and can use
- Age 3.5: 20-25 action words, including classroom and routine words
- Age 4 (LKG entry): 30-40 action words used in simple sentences
Do not test your child on these. If they can follow instructions like "stand up and come here" and can describe actions like "the dog is running," they have enough for a confident start.
Connecting Action Words to Phonics
For children who are also learning phonics, action words are perfect practice material.
- "Run" is a CVC word (consonant-vowel-consonant) - great for blending practice
- "Jump," "clap," "stop" practice consonant blends
- "Walk," "talk" introduce the silent L pattern
When a child can both read and say an action word, they have mastered it completely. This is where phonics and speaking practice come together.
The Big Picture
Action words are not just vocabulary. They are the key to a child being able to participate in an English-speaking classroom from day one. A child who knows their action words can follow instructions, describe what they see, tell you about their day, and participate in group activities.
That participation builds confidence. That confidence leads to more speaking. More speaking leads to fluency. It all starts with simple words like run, jump, sit, and draw.
Start with Group 1 this week. Practice during your daily routine. Add a new group every week. By the time LKG starts, your child will walk in ready.
For structured English and phonics learning designed for pre-LKG children, explore Nino's programs for ages 3-6. Book a free demo class and see how we build vocabulary, pronunciation, and confidence together.