From our Literacy Specialist
Why Vocabulary Matters So Much for Your Child’s Reading Comprehension
When children learn to read in the early years, much of the focus is on sounding out words, recognising letter-sound patterns, and developing reading fluency. But as they move through primary school, one skill quietly becomes one of the strongest predictors of their reading success: vocabulary.
Vocabulary - the words a child understands and can use - forms the foundation for meaningful reading. Without a wide and deep vocabulary, even fluent decoders can struggle to understand what they read. This can lead to parents noticing that while their child seems to be a very strong reader, their teacher’s judgment about reading progress sees them remaining “at level”. Parents are often told that the student’s decoding is strong, and what needs further work for improved grades to be achieved is the child’s comprehension. With improved vocabulary, often comes improved comprehension.
Below is a summary of why vocabulary matters so much and how you can support it at home. It may also give you an insight into why experts keep encouraging parents to read TO their children from a very early age.
1. Vocabulary is the bridge between reading words and understanding them
Children may be able to read a word correctly, yet still not understand it.For example, a child might read:
“The fox was cautious as it approached the river.”
If they don’t know what cautious means, they lose the meaning of the sentence, and potentially, the whole story. Strong vocabulary acts as the bridge that connects accurate decoding with deep comprehension.
2. The more words children know, the easier it is to learn new ones
Vocabulary grows like a snowball. Once children know a core set of words, it becomes easier to understand:
new vocabulary
more complex texts
abstract ideas.
For example, if a child knows the word cycle, it’s easier to learn recycle, bicycle, life cycle, or a phrase like ‘cycling through options. Our Years 3 – 6 students at RNPS are increasingly unlocking this power through our spelling and word study program: “Word Origins”. Words build on each other, helping children unlock new concepts and subjects with confidence.
3. A strong vocabulary helps children understand the world around them
Reading comprehension is not only about the words on the page, it’s also about background knowledge. A rich vocabulary gives children the language to understand:
science concepts
various specific topics, such as history and technology
mathematical terms
emotions and relationships
real-world events.
The more words children have, the more they can make sense of what they read, see and hear.
4. Vocabulary supports clear thinking and writing
Children can only express what they have the words for.A developed vocabulary helps them:
articulate thoughts clearly
explain ideas in detail
understand instructions
follow classroom discussions
write with clarity and confidence.
Better vocabulary leads to better communication, both in and out of school. This directly links to writing as well!
5. Conversations at home make a big difference
Vocabulary grows through exposure, not just from books, but from genuine conversation. Simple habits help immensely! You could try to incorporate the following tips:
Use rich or precise language in everyday talk (“That’s delicious,” “You seem frustrated,” “Let’s investigate this problem.”)
Encourage your child to ask about unfamiliar words.
Pause during reading to discuss interesting or tricky terms.
Introduce new words gently and naturally (“That bird is camouflaged… that means it blends in with its surroundings.”)
To develop vocabulary, children don’t need to rely on formal lessons; they need exposure, explanation, and repetition in the context of their day-to-day lives.
6. Reading widely is the most powerful vocabulary builder
Different types of reading introduce different types of vocabulary:
Stories build emotional and descriptive words.
Non-fiction texts build topic-specific language.
Poetry introduces expressive and figurative vocabulary.
Older or more complex books expose children to rich, varied sentence structures.
Encourage your child to read a mix of text types, not only what’s easy, but also what stretches their language thinking. If your child doesn’t have the decoding skills just yet, read higher level texts TO your child so that they can engage with the vocabulary.
7. You don’t need to be a vocabulary expert
Parents often think vocabulary teaching needs to be formal. It doesn’t.The most powerful approach is simple:
Notice interesting words
Find out what they mean (Google it!)
Talk about new words
Use them again later.
Words become part of a child’s vocabulary when they hear them, see them and use them multiple times in meaningful situations.
So you see, vocabulary is not just about knowing big words. It’s about giving children the tools to understand, think and communicate effectively. When children have strong vocabulary skills, reading becomes enjoyable, accessible and meaningful.
Every conversation, every book, every new word helps your child grow into a more confident and capable reader.