Is it too early to teach grammar in preschool?

Formal grammar is usually taught later, but simple ideas like naming words and action words fit preschool well when they are kept spoken and playful. Children already use nouns and verbs constantly. Helping them notice the difference through pictures and conversation builds language awareness without any definitions or rules to memorize.

What is the difference between a naming word and an action word?

A naming word, or noun, names a person, place, animal or thing, such as dog. An action word, or verb, tells what someone or something does, such as run. In "The dog runs," dog is the naming word and runs is the action word. Asking "Who or what?" finds the naming word, and "What are they doing?" finds the action.

How many Preschool naming words worksheets are there?

12 printable worksheets, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

What age are naming words worksheets for?

These are written for preschool children, roughly ages 3-5. Start with the first few pages, use the free preview to judge the fit, and come back to harder ones as your child gets steadier.

Does my child need to write letters already?

No. Pages start with tracing over dashed guides and build up to writing on their own, one small step at a time.

Can I use these naming words worksheets for homeschool?

Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a Preschool classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.

Preschool Naming Words Worksheets

Ages 3-5 · 12 worksheets · 12 answer keys · Print-ready PDFs

Naming words, also called nouns, are the words for people, places, animals and things, like mom, park, cat and ball. They are some of the very first words children learn to say, so preschoolers already use plenty of them. This topic simply helps them notice that these words form a group, which prepares them for grammar ideas they will meet in kindergarten and beyond.

The 12 pages here take an odd-one-out approach. Children say each picture name out loud, then circle the picture in each row that is not a naming word. Spotting what does not belong makes the idea of a naming word clearer than a definition would at this age. A grown-up can talk through each choice by asking whether the picture shows a person, place, animal or thing. Answer keys are included.

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

GradePreschool

TopicNaming Words

Frequently Asked Questions

Call them naming words and explain that they name a person, place, animal or thing. Walk around the room together naming objects, and ask "Is that a thing?" Sorting toys or pictures into people, animals and things also helps. The word noun can wait until later, since the idea matters more than the label at this age.

More grammar & writing worksheets

Explore all of our preschool grammar & writing worksheets, covering handwriting, sentence writing, labeling, naming words, and more.

Handwriting Sentence Writing Labeling Action Words Capital Letters

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