A Little Story to Begin With…
“Mom, is it go-ed or went?” My 9-year-old asked me one evening while writing his homework. I smiled, realizing this was the perfect moment to explain what verbs are and why some words don’t follow the usual rules.
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably faced similar questions. Teaching kids about verb forms doesn’t have to feel like drilling grammar—it can actually be fun, engaging, and story-like. Let’s walk through 15 easy, parent-approved methods to help your child master verbs.
1. Start with Action Words (V1)
Explain that verbs are simply action words—things we do. Jump, run, eat, sleep. Kids love acting them out, so turn it into a game.
Example: Ask your child to “act” a verb, and you guess it.
2. Show the 3 Main Verb Forms (V1, V2, V3)
Keep it simple:
- V1: Base verb (go)
- V2: Past tense (went)
- V3: Past participle (gone)
Example: “Today I go, yesterday I went, many times I have gone.”
3. Make a Verb Wall Chart
Stick a colorful chart on the study wall with common verbs. Use pictures with actions (running boy, sleeping cat). Kids remember faster when visuals are involved.
4. Play ‘Verb Charades’
Take turns acting out verbs like dance, cry, laugh, and let your child guess. Then say the other forms together.
5. Use Storytelling
Make mini-stories using verbs.
Example: “Yesterday the cat drank milk. Today the cat drinks milk. Tomorrow the cat will drink again.”
6. Sing Verb Songs
Turn irregular verbs into catchy rhymes. Singing makes learning stick.
7. Daily Life Practice
Use verbs in daily routines.
“I make breakfast, I made tea, and I have made sandwiches.”
8. The ‘Verb of the Day’ Game
Pick one verb daily and practice it in all forms.
9. Introduce Regular vs. Irregular Verbs
Explain:
- Regular: Play → Played → Played
- Irregular: Go → Went → Gone
Use sorting activities with flashcards.
10. Use Worksheets
Simple fill-in-the-blank sheets help reinforce verb forms. Example: “Yesterday I ___ (go) to the park.”
11. Read Storybooks Aloud
Pause and highlight verbs. Ask, “What did the character do here?”
12. Make a Verb Notebook
Encourage your child to note down new verbs they encounter and practice their three forms.
13. Use Technology Wisely
There are interactive apps and online games designed for verbs. Kids enjoy clicking their answers more than writing sometimes.
14. Reward Progress
Celebrate when your child learns 10 new verbs. A sticker or small treat keeps motivation high.
15. Practice Together
Instead of testing them, learn with them. Kids mirror your enthusiasm. If you enjoy the process, so will they.
Quick Verb List for Kids
Here’s a starter set to practice at home:
| Sr. No. | Base Verb (V1) | Past Tense (V2) | Past Participle (V3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | go | went | gone |
| 2 | do | did | done |
| 3 | eat | ate | eaten |
| 4 | drink | drank | drunk |
| 5 | run | ran | run |
| 6 | come | came | come |
| 7 | write | wrote | written |
| 8 | read | read | read |
| 9 | sing | sang | sung |
| 10 | dance | danced | danced |
| 11 | play | played | played |
| 12 | jump | jumped | jumped |
| 13 | walk | walked | walked |
| 14 | see | saw | seen |
| 15 | make | made | made |
| 16 | give | gave | given |
| 17 | take | took | taken |
| 18 | buy | bought | bought |
| 19 | teach | taught | taught |
| 20 | think | thought | thought |
| 21 | sleep | slept | slept |
| 22 | swim | swam | swum |
| 23 | speak | spoke | spoken |
| 24 | catch | caught | caught |
| 25 | sit | sat | sat |
| 26 | stand | stood | stood |
| 27 | begin | began | begun |
| 28 | bring | brought | brought |
| 29 | build | built | built |
| 30 | break | broke | broken |
Final Thoughts
Verbs are the heartbeat of a sentence—without them, nothing moves! By mixing games, stories, and daily practice, you can turn verb learning into an enjoyable adventure for your child.
So next time your kid asks, “Is it go-ed or went?”—you’ll know exactly how to make the answer memorable.
