About this worksheet
Young children understand action long before they know the word verb. They can clap, hop, whisper, carry, and point, which makes movement the clearest path into early grammar. The challenge is hearing which word in a whole sentence tells the action. Children may choose the animal or person because that is what they picture first, or they may choose a describing word such as fast. Each item on this page uses one familiar action in a short, spoken-sounding sentence. Some questions ask children to find the action word, while others ask which action completes a sentence. Invite your child to act out the options when two words feel close. If a word can be done, it is likely the verb in this kindergarten activity. Keep the focus on meaning rather than memorizing a definition. The formal term becomes useful only after the child can reliably hear what is happening.
What your child will learn
- Hear the word that tells what someone does
- Match familiar actions to short sentences
- Tell an action word from a naming word
- Use movement to check the meaning of a verb
Worked example
In ‘Birds fly,’ fly tells what the birds do. Fly is the action word.
Common mistake
Choosing the person or animal doing the action instead of the action itself.
Helpful hint
Try doing the word with your body.