In language development, basic concepts are words that set the foundation for children’s learning. These words are essential for understanding instructions, completing daily tasks, and describing experiences. Basic concepts include opposites (like hot/cold and big/little), locations (like up/down and in/out), descriptions (like colors, shapes, and textures), and more.

While these words may seem simple to adults, mastering basic vocabulary words is crucial for children in early education. Having a strong grasp of basic concepts lays the groundwork for following directions, communicating effectively, and developing more advanced literacy skills over time. 

Let’s look at some of the basic concepts children should learn and then introduce a few helpful ways you can guide this aspect of language development.

Examples of Basic Concepts for Kids 

Broadly, basic concepts are the simple word relationships that children must learn in order to listen, learn, and describe things. They equip children to understand and convey basic information about objects, actions, people, and experiences.

There are several main categories of basic concepts. Most of them involve opposites. These include:

• Comparative: includes comparative and superlative adjectives such as hot/cold, big/little, fast/slow, hard/soft, old/new
• Quantitative: includes words related to quantity and measurement such as one/many, more/less, full/empty
• Spatial: includes words related to location, directions, and prepositions like up/down, in/out, over/under, front/back, right/left, stop/start, here/there
• Temporal: includes words related to concepts of time such as now/later, today/tomorrow, morning/night, first/last

These basic words are some of the first vocabulary terms children must learn to begin matching words to real life. When kids have a strong understanding of these, they start building the skills they need to grow and learn. 

The Role of Basic Concepts in Daily Life 

Consider how often basic concepts affect children’s daily lives. To follow simple directions and commands, there must be an understanding in place.

For example:

• “Put the green cup on the small table.” 
• “Go get the big yellow book.” 
• “Stop and look both ways before you walk to the neighbor’s house.” 

Basic concepts inform children exactly what is expected of them at home and in educational settings. 

Plus, when kids have the vocabulary necessary to describe opposites, locations, and attributes, they can better express their own observations. This supports language development and social interaction.

Research shows that children’s knowledge of basic concepts in prekindergarten and kindergarten can be a predictor of future reading comprehension. Delays in basic concept vocabulary can limit children during further language development.

These basic skills are closely related to phonics education. As young students learn to connect basic concept words to written forms, it reinforces the alphabetic principle and decoding. Overall, when kids have a strong grasp of these simple words, it sets them up for long-term success.

How Children Learn Basic Concepts

Every child learns basic concept words at a different pace. Some may learn quickly while others might take time to grasp them fully. Let’s look at how children develop basic concepts. 

Learning Through Experiences

Kids learn basic concepts early on through everyday experiences. Verbal language development is a natural process as children pick up on sounds, speech patterns, and word meanings from their family and environment. Their interactions with people, places, and things begin to show them connections between spoken words they hear and real world references. 

However, experience isn’t always enough for any child to fully master basic concept knowledge. 

Receiving Explicit Instruction

Children also need explicit (direct) instruction to grasp certain vocabulary concepts. Repetition is important to reinforce their understanding.

Instruction typically involves:

• Teaching one or two concepts at a time to avoid information overload 
• Relating new concepts to the child’s world so they make personal connections 
• Creating a daily routine to give examples and practice basic concepts
• Using concept words in regular conversation with your child 

It also helps to start with the simplest concepts and then gradually move onto more challenging ones. An explicit instruction approach to basic concepts can look like:

• Starting with opposites (hot/cold, big/little) 

• Moving onto locations (in/out, up/down)
• Then teaching descriptions (colors, shapes, textures)
• Then teaching time/quantity concepts 
• Moving on to more challenging concepts 

Even with implicit and explicit exposure to basic concepts, a few things can affect how children pick up on them. 

Influencing Kids’ Acquisition of Basic Concept Vocabulary 

There are a few signs that a child might be delayed in language development or struggling to grasp basic concepts. 

A child who’s 2-3 years old might describe what they observe using generalized words like “that one,” “there,” or “this thing” instead of using more specific descriptions with colors, locations, or sizes. 

Some kids might seem confused when given verbal instructions—as if they have to guess what they were just told to do. If storytelling, problem solving, or expressing their thoughts verbally continue to be a challenge beyond expected milestones, they may still be developing basic concepts. 

If you are concerned about the vocabulary development of your child or student, it may be wise to use the Basic Concepts Skill Screener to check and see how their skills measure up to the average performance of other children their same age. This screener can also let you know which specific basic concept skills have been consolidated or still need direct instruction and practice. 

Several factors impact how quickly and thoroughly children pick up basic concepts:

• Amount of repetition and modeling of words in context
• Some concepts are harder to grasp, especially the more abstract ones
• The child’s quality and quantity of language exposure
• The child’s learning environment 
• Socioeconomic background
• Presence of a disability or language delay

The more interactive and systematic the instruction is, the more likely the child will acquire the full scope of basic concepts.

Tips for Teaching Basic Concepts 

To help young children learn basic concepts, here are some practices to implement at home and in the classroom. 

Use Concrete Examples

Use familiar objects and pictures to make basic concepts as concrete and tangible as possible. Physically demonstrate opposites like big and small. Point out locations like over vs. under. Show examples of different colors, shapes, and textures.

Read Concept Books Together 

Read books with your child and emphasize basic concept words during read-alouds. Many children’s books intentionally focus on particular categories of concepts through the text and illustrations.

Define Words Explicitly

In daily interactions with your child, take opportunities to explicitly define and explain basic concept words you use. “That car is big. Can you find a little car?”

Ask Comprehension Questions

Check your child’s understanding by asking them to identify or demonstrate the meanings of basic concept words. “Can you show me which toy is soft?”

Play Concept Games

Word games, songs, and early reading activities that reinforce basic concepts make the learning process more engaging and interactive for kids. Play Basic Concepts Chipper Chat for a ready-made game that focuses on applying these words and learning their meanings. 

Give Corrective Feedback

When children use a basic concept word incorrectly, provide corrective feedback in the moment and model the proper usage. Praise your child when they grasp a new concept or get a question right. 

Integrate Into Other Lessons

Include basic concept words into other learning activities like phonics, math, and following multi-step directions to reinforce their meanings.

Use Repetition 

Basic concepts take repetition and time for kids to fully get. Be consistent and use the vocabulary frequently across many contexts.

Adjust Based on Ability

Be flexible and adjust the level of instruction complexity based on each child’s current grasp of basic concepts. It helps to meet them where they’re at. Refer to results in a basic concepts screener to know which specific words a child needs support with learning. 

Connecting Basic Concepts to Phonics Instruction 

As kids develop an understanding of basic concept vocabulary words, eventually they’ll use these concepts in phonics education. Comprehension is an integral part of reading and writing. Basic concepts set a foundation for reading comprehension as children interpret meaning and associate descriptions with the words they begin to read. 

Want to know more about basic concepts? Explore similar topics that are crucial to early phonics instruction on the Phonics.org website today.