Experience before Knowledge

If I gave your 4 year old the word, "apple", and asked him/ her to describe it, what would the answers be?
Fruit
Red
Green
Phone/ computer

If I gave your 4 year old this picture of an apple, and asked him/ her to describe it, what would the answers sound like?

Red
Shiny
spots
stem
fruit
kind of round

If I gave your 4 year old an actual apple, and asked him/her to describe it, what would the answers sound like?
Red
Shiny
Spots
Stem
Fruit
Kind of round/ shaped like a heart
Hard
Soft spots
Seeds
white/ yellow/ brown on the inside
core in the middle
sour
sweet
juicy
smooth

The point here is that a child can learn how to say and spell a word without experiencing it... but does the child understand the meaning of the word? Experience is what gives the child the understanding and meaning of words. Honestly, experience is still what gives most of us clear understandings of words. For example, I can tell you how big and beautiful the Grand Canyon is because I have been there and I have seen and experienced it. However, for someone that has not experienced the Grand Canyon, it is impossible for them to understand exactly how big and beautiful it really is. Words work the same way with young children.
At home it is easier to experience the words you use with your child because everything you discuss with your child is relevant. So as you talk with your child, let them experience what you are discussing.