Practice making inferences and improve vocabulary with pictures. Show an image to children and tell them that the picture is a good example of a particular vocabulary word. Say the word and, based on the details of the picture, children should infer what the word means. For instance, show a photograph of an eagle in flight, and explain that the eagle is soaring. Based on the picture, children should be able to infer that soaring means flying.
Predictions are a form of inference-making. A prediction requires using new knowledge to make a logical assumption of what will happen next. Read a story to your children, or have them read a story to you, if they can. Part way through the story, stop and ask children what they think will happen next. Tell them not to guess what they want to happen, but to base their predictions on what has already taken place. Check their predictions as the story continues. This process can also be done using a movie rather than a book.
Facial expressions and body movements are a big part of communication. Just by showing a particular look on your face or walking a certain way, someone can tell how you are feeling. Ask children to gather around you as you make faces to convey various emotions, such as happiness, sadness or fear. After each face, ask the children to infer how you might be feeling.
Tell children a brief scenario and have them make an inference based on the clues in the story. For example, ask children to imagine that it is storming outside and they have just entered a house that is completely dark except for some burning candles. The people inside are using flashlights. Ask why this is happening. What occurred that caused the present situation inside the house? Children must infer that the storm caused a power outage and the candles and flashlights are helping the people see inside. This type of activity requires children to use listening skills, as well.
Questioning is an important skill relevant to inferences. Practice this skill with a game like Twenty Questions, where children guess the object based on details that you tell them in response to the twenty questions they can ask. They might wonder, "is it an animal" or "is it a solid color?" Though you are supplying short answers of yes or no, children have to take that information and think critically about the facts to guess, or infer, what the object is.