Children love to talk about things they enjoy doing. Swimming, drawing, playing, dancing – these activities are the heart of their world. When they say "I like swimming" or "Drawing is fun," they use gerunds. A gerund is an -ing word that acts like a noun. It names an activity. Today we explore the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old children and how these words help them talk about the things they do and love.
Gerunds look like verbs because they end in -ing. But they act like nouns. They can be subjects, objects, or follow prepositions. This makes them special and useful. Children use them naturally to name their favorite activities.
What Are Gerunds?
Let us begin with a clear definition we can share with our children. A gerund is a word that ends in -ing and acts like a noun. It names an activity. Running, jumping, eating, sleeping are all gerunds when they are used as nouns.
Think of a gerund as giving an activity a name. The activity of running becomes the word running. The activity of drawing becomes drawing. These -ing words let us talk about activities as things. "Swimming is my favorite." Swimming names the activity like a noun.
Gerunds look exactly like present participles. Both end in -ing. But they do different jobs. Present participles are part of verbs. "I am running." Running is part of the verb. Gerunds are nouns. "Running is fun." Running is the subject of the sentence.
For young children, we can explain it simply. Gerunds are -ing words that name things we do. They are the names of activities. Running, jumping, playing, singing. They end in -ing and tell us what the activity is. The 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old learners are the activity words children use every day.
Meaning and Explanation for Young Learners
How do we explain gerunds to a six-year-old in ways they understand? We use examples from their world and show how these -ing words name activities.
Tell your child that when we add -ing to an action word, we can make it into the name of that activity. Run becomes running. The name of the activity is running. Jump becomes jumping. The name is jumping. These -ing names are called gerunds.
Here are some gerunds children use. "I like swimming." Swimming names the activity they like. "Drawing makes me happy." Drawing names the activity that brings happiness. "Playing with friends is fun." Playing names the fun activity.
Gerunds can do many jobs. They can be the subject of a sentence. "Reading is relaxing." Reading is what the sentence is about. They can be the object of a verb. "I love dancing." Dancing is the thing loved. They can follow prepositions. "Thank you for helping." Helping follows the word for.
Children use gerunds naturally. "Singing is my favorite." "I am good at drawing." "We had fun playing." "Waiting is hard." Each of these uses an -ing word as a noun.
These explanations help children understand the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old speakers. They see that -ing words can name activities.
Categories of Gerunds
Gerunds appear in different positions in sentences. Understanding these categories helps children use them correctly.
Gerunds as subjects begin sentences. "Swimming is fun." The gerund is the topic. "Reading helps you learn." The gerund is what helps. "Playing outside makes me happy." The gerund is what makes happiness.
Gerunds as objects follow verbs. "I like dancing." The gerund is the thing liked. "She enjoys singing." The gerund is the thing enjoyed. "He started crying." The gerund is the thing started.
Gerunds after prepositions are very common. "Thank you for helping." After for. "I am good at drawing." After at. "We talked about going to the park." After about. "She left without saying goodbye." After without.
Gerunds after possessive words show whose activity. "I love your singing." The singing belongs to you. "Mom's cooking is the best." The cooking belongs to Mom. "Do you mind my asking?" The asking belongs to me.
Gerunds in compound nouns combine with other words. "Swimming pool." A pool for swimming. "Drawing paper." Paper for drawing. "Dining room." Room for dining. The gerund describes the noun.
These categories make up the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old learners. Each shows a different way gerunds work in sentences.
Daily Life Examples
Gerunds appear constantly in family conversations. Here are examples from a typical day with a six-year-old.
Morning time brings many gerunds. "I like eating breakfast." Activity liked. "Getting dressed takes time." Activity described. "Brushing my teeth is important." Activity named. "I am good at waiting." Skill claimed. "Thank you for helping me." Appreciation expressed.
During play, gerunds multiply. "Playing with you is fun." Activity enjoyed. "I love building with blocks." Activity loved. "Running makes me tired." Activity effect. "We took turns swinging." Activity shared. "Pretending to be a dragon is the best." Imaginary activity.
Mealtime produces many gerunds. "I like eating pizza." Food activity. "Chewing takes time." Eating action. "Mom is cooking dinner." Ongoing activity. "Thank you for making this." Appreciation. "Sharing is kind." Value stated.
Bedtime brings its own gerunds. "Reading stories is my favorite." Activity loved. "I like snuggling." Comfort activity. "Sleeping makes me grow." Body activity. "Thank you for tucking me in." Appreciation. "Dreaming is fun." Night activity.
Throughout the day, children use gerunds without thinking about it. The 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old children appear again and again in these everyday moments.
Gerunds After Common Verbs
Certain verbs are frequently followed by gerunds. Children need to know these patterns.
Like and love are most common. "I like swimming." "I love dancing." These express enjoyment. Dislike and hate work the same way. "I dislike waiting." "I hate losing."
Enjoy always takes a gerund. "I enjoy playing outside." "She enjoys reading books." "We enjoy singing together." Enjoy is followed by the activity name.
Start and begin can take gerunds. "I started crying." "It began raining." "She started laughing." These show the beginning of an activity.
Stop and finish take gerunds. "I stopped crying." "She finished eating." "He stopped talking." These show the end of an activity.
Keep and practice take gerunds. "Keep trying." "Practice playing." "Keep going." These show continuing or improving an activity.
Consider and imagine take gerunds. "Consider waiting." "Imagine flying." "Consider sharing." These show thinking about activities.
These verb+gerund patterns appear throughout the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old speakers. They are essential for daily communication.
Gerunds After Prepositions
Gerunds very often follow prepositions. This is one of their most important uses.
After for: "Thank you for helping." "I am ready for leaving." "This is for drawing." For shows purpose or reason.
After about: "We talked about going to the zoo." "I am excited about seeing Grandma." "Think about sharing." About shows topic.
After of: "I am afraid of dogs." Not a gerund. But "I am afraid of swimming in the ocean." After of, gerund possible. "I am tired of waiting." "She is scared of falling."
After in: "I am interested in learning." "She is good in math." Not gerund. But "She is good at drawing." At is the preposition for skills.
After without: "I left without saying goodbye." "She went without eating." "He did it without helping." Without shows absence of action.
After before and after: "Wash hands before eating." "Go outside after finishing." These show timing of activities.
Children use preposition+gerund patterns constantly. "Thank you for coming." "I am tired of waiting." "Wash hands before eating." Each shows a gerund after a preposition.
These preposition+gerund patterns form part of the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old learners. They help children express relationships between ideas.
Gerunds as Subjects
Gerunds can be the subject of a sentence. This means the -ing word is what the sentence is about.
Simple subject gerunds begin sentences. "Swimming is fun." The whole sentence tells about swimming. "Reading helps you learn." The sentence tells about reading. "Playing makes me happy." The sentence tells about playing.
Subject gerunds can have objects. "Reading books is fun." Reading books is the complete subject. "Eating vegetables is healthy." Eating vegetables is the subject. "Drawing pictures takes time." Drawing pictures is the subject.
Subject gerunds can be modified. "Fast running tires me out." Running modified by fast. "Loud singing hurts my ears." Singing modified by loud. "Gentle playing is nice." Playing modified by gentle.
Subject gerunds answer the question "What?" "What is fun?" "Swimming." "What helps you learn?" "Reading." "What makes you happy?" "Playing."
Children use subject gerunds naturally. "Drawing is my favorite." "Waiting is hard." "Sharing is kind." "Helping feels good." Each uses a gerund as the topic.
These subject gerunds appear in the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old speakers. They let children make activities the main topic.
Gerunds as Objects
Gerunds can be the object of a verb. This means the -ing word receives the action of the verb.
After like and love. "I like swimming." Swimming receives the liking. "She loves dancing." Dancing receives the loving. "We enjoy playing." Playing receives the enjoying.
After hate and dislike. "I hate waiting." Waiting receives the hating. "He dislikes losing." Losing receives the disliking. "She hates cleaning." Cleaning receives the hating.
After start and stop. "I started crying." Crying receives the starting. "She stopped talking." Talking receives the stopping. "It began raining." Raining receives the beginning.
After keep and practice. "Keep trying." Trying receives the keeping. "Practice singing." Singing receives the practicing. "Keep moving." Moving receives the keeping.
After consider and imagine. "Consider waiting." Waiting receives the considering. "Imagine flying." Flying receives the imagining. "Consider sharing." Sharing receives the considering.
Children use object gerunds constantly. "I like drawing." "She loves singing." "He started crying." "Keep trying." Each uses a gerund as the object.
These object gerunds appear throughout the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old learners. They complete the meaning of many common verbs.
Questions with Gerunds
Questions often contain gerunds. Children ask about activities and preferences using these forms.
Questions about likes use like + gerund. "Do you like swimming?" Asks about activity preference. "What do you like doing?" Asks generally. "Does she like dancing?" Asks about another's preference.
Questions about skills use good at + gerund. "Are you good at drawing?" Asks about ability. "What are you good at doing?" Asks generally. "Is he good at singing?" Asks about another's skill.
Questions about activities use enjoy + gerund. "Do you enjoy playing outside?" Asks about enjoyment. "What do you enjoy doing most?" Asks for favorite. "Does she enjoy reading?" Asks about another's enjoyment.
Questions about timing use before/after + gerund. "Do you wash hands before eating?" Asks about routine. "What do you do after waking up?" Asks about sequence. "Do you brush teeth before sleeping?" Asks about habit.
Children ask questions like "Do you like swimming?" "Are you good at drawing?" "What do you enjoy doing?" "Do you read before sleeping?" These questions use gerunds naturally.
These question patterns appear in the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old speakers. They help children learn about others' activities.
Other Uses of Gerunds
Gerunds serve many purposes beyond basic patterns. Children encounter them in various contexts.
Gerunds after no in signs and rules. "No running by the pool." "No talking during the movie." "No touching the artwork." These use gerunds to state rules.
Gerunds in compound nouns combine with other words. "Swimming pool." "Dining room." "Drawing paper." "Coloring book." "Playing cards." The gerund describes the noun's purpose.
Gerunds in expressions of time. "During reading time, be quiet." "After eating, we will play." "Before leaving, say goodbye." Gerunds name the activity that marks the time.
Gerunds in thank you messages. "Thank you for coming." "Thanks for helping." "Thank you for sharing." The gerund follows for and names the appreciated action.
Gerunds in feelings expressions. "I am tired of waiting." "She is excited about going." "He is scared of falling." The gerund follows the preposition and names what causes the feeling.
These varied uses appear throughout the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old children. Each adds richness to communication.
Learning Tips for Parents
Supporting your child's use of gerunds happens naturally through conversation. Here are gentle ways to encourage this growth.
Model gerunds clearly in your own speech. Use a variety of gerund patterns naturally. "I like cooking." "Reading is relaxing." "Thank you for helping." "We talked about going to the beach." Your child hears these patterns constantly.
Notice gerunds during read-aloud time. When you encounter a gerund in a book, point it out casually. "Listen, the book says 'Swimming is fun.' Swimming is the name of the activity." Simple observations build awareness.
Ask questions that invite gerund responses. "What do you like doing?" Invites gerund answer. "What are you good at?" Invites gerund. "What do you enjoy most?" Invites favorite activity.
Expand on your child's gerund use. If your child says "I like swim," you can respond with "You like swimming? Me too!" This models the correct form gently.
Play the -ing game during activities. Name what you are doing using gerunds. "This is cooking." "This is cleaning up." "This is waiting." Make it a game to name activities with -ing words.
These tips support mastery of the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old children through natural, positive interaction.
Printable Flashcards for Gerund Practice
Flashcards can help children practice gerunds. Here are ideas for making your own set.
Create activity picture cards. Draw or paste pictures of common activities. swimming, running, eating, sleeping, reading, drawing, singing, dancing, playing, jumping, cooking, waiting.
Create sentence starter cards. Write beginnings that need gerunds. "I like ." " is fun." "Thank you for ___." "I am good at ___." "We talked about ___."
Create verb cards for verbs that take gerunds. like, love, enjoy, hate, start, stop, keep, practice, consider.
How to play with the cards. Lay out sentence starter cards. Ask your child to choose the correct activity card to complete each sentence. "I like ___" can use swimming, running, drawing, and many others.
Try the matching game. Spread verb cards and activity cards face up. Take turns finding pairs that work together. "like" matches with "swimming" and many others. Discuss all the possibilities.
Create preposition practice. Use cards with prepositions. "for ___" "about ___" "at ___" "before ___" "after ___" Match with activity gerunds. "for helping" "about going" "at drawing" "before eating" "after playing"
These flashcards make the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old learners tangible and fun. Children see how -ing words name activities.
Learning Activities and Games
Games make learning about gerunds playful and memorable. Here are some activities to enjoy together.
The Like Game practices gerunds after like. Take turns saying things you like using gerunds. "I like swimming." "I like drawing." "I like playing with friends." Go around the family sharing likes.
The Good At Game practices gerunds after at. Share things you are good at. "I am good at singing." "I am good at building." "I am good at helping." Celebrate each other's skills.
The Thank You Game practices gerunds after for. Go around and thank each other for things using gerunds. "Thank you for playing with me." "Thank you for helping me clean." "Thank you for reading to me." Express gratitude.
The Before and After Game practices timing gerunds. Talk about routines using before and after. "I brush my teeth before eating." "I play after finishing homework." "I wash hands before dinner." Dinner is noun, but "before eating" uses gerund.
The Rule Game practices gerunds in rules. Make up rules for different places using no + gerund. "No running in the house." "No jumping on the bed." "No shouting inside." Silly rules are fun too.
The Activity Name Game practices identifying gerunds. Do an action and have your child name it using a gerund. You pretend to swim. Child says "swimming." You pretend to read. Child says "reading." Switch roles.
These games turn learning the 70 most common gerunds for 6-year-old children into active family fun. No pressure, just playful language exploration.
Gerunds are the words children use to name their favorite activities. Swimming, drawing, playing, singing – these are not just actions but the very stuff of childhood. Every "I like swimming" shares a preference. Every "Drawing is fun" declares a passion. Every "Thank you for helping" expresses gratitude. These -ing words turn actions into things we can talk about, love, and share. The next time your child uses a gerund correctly, recognize the sophisticated language they are using. They are learning to name not just objects in the world, but the activities that fill their days with joy and meaning. This skill will serve them well as they grow, helping them share their interests, describe their hobbies, and connect with others who love the same things.