Writers Guild

Mon, 21 Dec, 2020

Are you aware of the 5 benefits of Understanding figurative language for children

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What does Figurative Language for kids mean?

Figurative language for kids is nothing similar to literal language, simply using the exact meanings of words and phrases. Instead, figurative language is a method of communicating with people without using the actual or literal meaning of words and phrases. It is very commonly employed in exaggerations and comparisons to give an artistic or creative spark to speech and writing and convey a complex matter. In narrative texts and writings, figurative language is a popular strategy used to build personal and emotional levels of bonds with the reading audiences.

Figurative language is not limited to the list below, but the most common types of figurative language are, namely:

  • Similes;

  • Metaphors;

  • Personifications;

  • Hyperboles; and

  • Allusions.

Literal language can be quite dull at times. Best Figurative Language and superlatives for students give a touch of artistic color to this boring form of speech. It brings languages to life. Still, just like everything else, overuse of figurative language in English also ruins the best narratives. Figurative language draws your kids in and elicits a spectrum of feelings, such as groaning and laughing.

What is the purpose of Figurative Language for kids?

In engaging literary works, figurative language for kids plays a significant part. The use of figurative language contrasts with the help of Plain Language. Its main goal is to let your children (readers and listeners) assume or infer what the author is trying to say through their figurative poetry and prose for kids, using a specific remark or expression. In figurative language, a variety of linguistic strategies and components are very frequently used.

A few significant purposes of figurative language therapy for students  are listed below:

  • Use of various effective figurative elements;

  • Figurative speech like analogies, metaphors, similes;

  • Expanding the meanings of literal phrases and words;

  • Enhance creative thinking of kids;

  • It turns abstract into absolute;

  • It helps kids create a familiar image of real things, apart from their actual meanings.

Figurative Language in English very efficiently uses many literary devices, mainly similes, metaphors, personifications, hyperboles and allusions. Literary devices, in general, perform well enough in keeping compositions highly interesting, understandable, and passionate for your kids.

What are the various types of Figurative Languages for kids and their examples?

Observing figurative language in actual practice is one of the best and most effective ways to grasp the notion. Whenever the writers use figurative language in prose and poetry for kids, they go further beyond the use of actual meanings of words and phrases. As a result, your kids will be able to obtain different perspectives on their work.

Discussed below are a few main types of figurative language for kids, along with some figurative language examples:

  • Synecdoche - It is described as a figurative speech in English, wherein an actual term that pertains to a portion of something is applied figuratively to reflect the overall item. Synecdoche is also employed while using a phrase or a term that describes an entire item for reflecting a portion of the whole.

For example, "head" is used as figurative language to count cattle or people, and "police" represents individual officers.

  • Metonymy - It is slightly different from Synecdoche. Metonymy is a figurative language type used to substitute a related term for an object or a phenomenon. PlanetSpark's English figurative learning courses enable your children to effectively use them in various places or instances, including everyday daily communications and literature.

Examples: "suits" is used as a figurative term in place of business people.

  • Simile - It is one of the most common forms of figurative language. Simile mainly includes using "like" and "as" to compare two different things. In literature, a simile is employed to make texts and speeches much more lively and effective. With the help of figurative learning worksheets and online training, your kids can quickly become capable of using a simile for communicating and expressing themselves very swiftly and decisively, even in their regular daily conversations.

Examples: 'as innocent as a dove', 'as hot as hell', calling someone 'as strong as an ox', describing your love for someone 'as deep as the ocean', among others.

  • Metaphor - Metaphors are figurative expressions that are not true. But they are neither errors nor mistakes because metaphors are not meant to be taken literally. They are a sort of figurative language used to express a meaning other than the literal referential meaning of the term or expressions employed. They are utilized in poetry and fiction and different sorts of literature and demonstrations. These representations convey a compelling point by contrasting two main things that you and your kids would not normally associate with one other.

For Example, feeling the 'stench' of something unfortunate like a failure coming to you soon.

  • Personification - It is a form of figurative language in English that is frequently used in literature. It occurs when you attribute human characteristics to something not humanly or even living, such as nature or everyday objects. Personification is a textual method that enables authors to infuse non-human entities with human attributes. It allows your kids to visualize and relate to the story.

Examples include 'dancing' stars, 'greeting' sun, 'knocking' opportunities, 'singing' radio, etc.

  • Hyperbole - Hyperbole is a figure of speech that employs great exaggeration to illustrate a point or express significance, derived from the Greek term "excess." It is the absolute opposite of modesty. Examples of hyperbole can be presented in literature and ordinary conversation. Hyperboles are dramatic and sometimes outrageous overstatements that are not intended to be taken seriously, unlike similes and metaphors. Hyperbole is frequently employed in writings to emphasize disparity or grab the attention of your kids enrolled in online figurative language courses and training.

For Example, 'a million times', 'a ton of work or homework', among others.

  • Allusions - A resemblance or citation to a person, occurrence, remark, work of art, history, mythologies, religions, or mass entertainment is known as an allusion. As a part of figurative Language in English, an allusion is used indirectly in a text. Because the person, place, or thing is not addressed directly, the audience is assumed to be familiar with the subject. As a result, an allusion occurs whenever a communication work attempts to infer a person, location, thing, work of language, or work of art. When one alludes, they are implying something and expecting the children and other audience to pick up on it.

Examples include describing something as your 'Achilles heel' as your weakness and introducing someone as the 'new Einstein' for being smart.

Our PlanetSpark's courses on figurative skills online training for kids your child is trained on all fronts. Enroll your child with us for a better career.

What are Comparatives and Superlatives in Figurative Language for Kids?

Here is a brief on comparatives and superlatives in English figurative language for kids:

  • Use of comparative adjectives in Figurative speech for kids - Comparative adjectives in English figurative language for kids compare the differences between the two items they affect (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in the following pattern in phrases when two nouns are particularly in comparison:

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (subject).

Example: "I like Dhir' better' even though Rishi and Dhir are my brothers."

  • Use of superlative adjectives in Figurative speech for kids - Superlative adjectives are often used to record observations at the top or bottom of an evaluation framework (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used to compare a subject to a set of items in statements. They are employed in the following pattern:

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (subject).

Example: “She is the ‘slowest’ learner in our batch.”  

Why is Figurative Language Training Important for Kids?

When teaching children how to read, we often think of linguistics, figures of speech, vocabulary, and punctuation. However, we must not overlook the importance of using figurative language in the curriculum. Discussed below are some of the significant benefits of English figurative language for your kids:

  • Improve your kid's language learning by giving appropriate training on figurative skills - All writing genres, especially poetry, use figurative language in English. It provides written works a theme and elicits emotions. Kids who take figurative language training online can better interpret and analyze literature. They can comprehend the story or poems' overall goal. This skill helps them in everyday life, education, and critical standardized tests.

  • Second-language students can have much easier access and connection to the English Language - Understanding and identifying figurative Language in English is critical for improving fluency in the second language. This can be not easy, partially due to the cultural roots of figurative language. Students who can comprehend the dictionary definition of a term may believe they understand it, but they cannot grasp the whole meaning. Training figurative Language in English to second language learners directly improves their English proficiency.

  • Enhance your kids visualizing skills with figurative language training for students - Figurative Language generally makes it easier to visualize concepts and theories. It can clarify your child's abstract thoughts, notions, and emotions. In the head, imagery skills help your child create a clear picture. Complicated concepts are easier to grasp when compared to using figurative language, examples, metaphors, similes, and symbolism.

  • Interactions are made much more poetically interesting by appropriate and efficient knowledge of figurative Language - Figurative Language in English enhances the beauty, color, and vibrancy of communication and language. It gives a speech and writing a poetic quality that can not convey. Children who acquire figurative skills for students will be able to use their imaginations and inventiveness. They will be able to express themselves in unusual and exciting ways, and their words will be able to paint a vivid image.

  • The creative writing capabilities of your kids improve with the use of figurative Language - Children who acquire figurative language training become better writers. Students develop their distinct style through the use of figurative language, which adds flavor and flair to their writing. Students who understand figurative language n English are more likely to love writing. They develop novel and intriguing ways to convey themselves and their thoughts.

At PlanetSpark, our mentors prepare the course curriculum to ensure your child's overall development. Book a demo class today!

How to Teach Figurative Language to Kids Efficiently?

Mentioned below are the main points for effective figurative language training for kids:

  • Begin with the simpler types of figurative language for children and work your way up, making sure they do not lag in any aspect taught before levelling up.  

  • Inspire and push students to develop their scenarios and examples.

  • Since practice makes us perfect, the greatest approach to teaching figurative language to kids would be to read and comprehend a variety of sources.

  • Use a lot of relatable everyday examples o figurative words.

  • Make linkages between the various types of figurative language to emphasize the distinctions that aid in their recognition in publications. It would be a fantastic idea to modify one illustration into several other approaches.

Here is a list of a few of the greatest resources for teaching figurative language to children:

  • Through the work of the greatest of authors like Shakespeare.

  • By making the kids read, comprehend, and write prose and poetry with figurative words.

  • By incorporating creative writing for kids regularly.

  • By teaching them to observe and identify songs with figurative languages used in movies.

  • By introducing the use of worksheets and anchor charts.

  • By providing the students with and making them aware of the existence of good and specialized childrens' books and literary works on poems with figurative language.

What are Best Apps and Courses for Kids' Online Figurative Language Training?

Here is a list of some of the best and topmost online figurative language training portals as well as apps for your kids:

  • PlanetSpark,

  • Mondly Kids,

  • Gus On The Go,

  • Study,

  • Ruhi: Bilingual Books,

  • PBS Learning Media,

  • Language not,

  • Mango Languages,

  • PetraLingua,

  • Dino Lingo,

  • Duolingo,

  • MUZZY,

  • FluentU,

  • Little Pim.

Why Opt for PlanetSpark for your kids' English Figurative Language Training?

  • With expert guidance from PlanetSpark's mentors and our speech therapy for kids, your child will be able to comprehend others and convey themselves.

  • Our class on comparatives and superlatives to enhance figurative skills in kids in front of a large crowd forces a child to encounter their fears regarding public speaking and expressing their thoughts.

  • With PlanetSpark's speech app for kids, your child will learn to differentiate between various forms of figurative languages for kids.

  • PlanetSpark's activities sessions like using figurative language in poems, figurative language worksheets and anchor charts further prove to be added advantages for your kids.

We offer your kids the most extensive and complete curriculum and program taught by top educators. So please visit our website and register your kids, without wasting any more time.

FAQs

  • What are the examples of figurative language? 

Use of terms and phrases such as "busy bee" to refer to a very busy person, using the phrase "couch potato" while calling someone who is very lazy, describing a cloudy day as "the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds", among others are some examples of figurative language for kids. 

  • What are the six types of figurative language and meaning?

Figurative language and superlative are employed in writing to provide depth and inventiveness. Figurative language is a stylistic strategy that uses phrases in non-literal ways while remaining significant. Simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, Synecdoche, and onomatopoeia are the six categories of figurative language. 

  • What are eight examples of Figurative Language?

Eight figurative language examples for kids are as follows:

  1. Simile; "she yawned in the middle of the lecture, 'opening her mouth like a hippo'."

  2. Personification; "the 'office environment' 'was not welcoming'."

  3. Parallelism; "even little kids these days are very 'gadget-savvy, playful and smart'."

  4. Onomatopoeia; "I 'slammed the brakes and brought the car to a 'screeching halt'."

  5. Metaphor; "CSK 'pummeled' KKR in the 2021 IPL final."

  6. Idiom; "Their final attack for the winning goal 'took my breath away."

  7. Hyperbole; "Family responsibilities 'weigh a ton' after a certain age."

  8. Alliteration; "Despite all the fame, 'what a humble person MSD is'!"

 

  • Why do authors use figurative language in poems?

They do so to bring much more creative life to the sometimes dull literary terms and phrases and grab the readers' full attention towards their work. 

  • What is PlanetSpark, and what do they do?

PlanetSpark is an online English language enhancing and public speaking confidence-boosting program for your kids. At PlanetSpark, we provide your kids with the most complete and extensive speech therapy and English figurative language training, guided by top educators. 

  • How will parents know if the child is progressing well?

Our curriculum structure evaluates your child on five core areas of development which help their parents track their progress on figurative skills for kids:

  1. Personal and Social Skills,

  2. Physical Communication Abilities,

  3. Emotional Quotient,

  4. Appropriate Language Comprehension and Usage, and

  5. Cognitive Thinking Capabilities.

Help your child in learning the art of Creative Writing by BOOKING a FREE Class with a PSAT Qualified Expert! BOOK NOW!

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