The word cloud above, representing some of the look-up trends of 2024, is made up of words that people found at kids.wordsmyth after searching the internet for child-appropriate definitions. At this time of the year, we normally ask our users to participate in the selection of Word of the Year. Instead of sending your opinion to us, this year we would like to invite you, our users, to have a Word of the Year conversation with your family and friends during the holiday season.
Sometimes, people find it difficult to come up with a word if they are asked bluntly “What is your word of the year?” Here are seven engaging conversation starters to help people reflect on and discuss their Word of the Year for 2024:
- Reflective Prompts
- “If this year, 2024, was a chapter in a book, what single word would best describe its plot?”
- “Think about a moment in 2024 that truly surprised or moved you. What word captures the emotion of that moment?”
- Emotion-Based Approaches
- “What feeling do you hope to cultivate more of in the coming year?”
- “When you close your eyes and imagine your ideal 2025, what word comes to mind first?”
- Interactive Techniques
- “Let’s play a word association game. I’ll start: When I say ‘2024,’ the first word that pops into your head is…”
- “If your year had a soundtrack, what would its title track be called?”
- Storytelling Prompts
- “Tell me about a challenge you overcame this year. What word represents your journey through that experience?”
- “Share a moment of personal growth. What word symbolizes your transformation?”
- Future-Oriented Questions
- “If you could write a one-word intention for yourself in 2025, what would it be?”
- “What word represents the person you’re becoming, not just the person you’ve been?”
- Metaphorical Approaches
- “If your year was a weather pattern, what word would describe it?”
- “Imagine your year as a landscape. What terrain or natural phenomenon represents your experience?”
- Creative Exercises
- Bring a collection of magazines and have people cut out words that resonate with them.
- Create word clouds together using digital tools or hand-drawn methods.
- Have people write their words on sticky notes and create a collective visual representation.
Hope you have fun with Word of the Year 2024. Write to us (support@wordsmyth.net) if you would like to share your story about an interesting conversation you had with your family or friends.
Tips for facilitating the conversation:
- Create a non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere.
- Encourage brief stories or explanations behind the chosen words.
- Allow people time to reflect before sharing.
- Share your own word first to break the ice and model vulnerability.
Teachers and parents, we welcome your thoughts and ideas concerning how Wordsmyth can help engage young learners in thought-provoking activities related to Word of the Year in the future.
Have a joyful holiday season and Happy Wordsmything!