by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Studies have shown that by the end of 2nd grade, an average child knows about 4,000 root words, while kids in the top 25% know about 8,000 words—twice as many as the weakest kids.  More fortunate kids hear more and more complicated words at home.

We’re not talking about reading but about developing vocabulary, so critical to reading comprehension.  When kids begin reading words independently, they need to understand about 95% of the words in a text to make sense of it.

Hearing and using more sophisticated words provides that reservoir for later reading skills.

That’s why talk at home—dinnertime, in the car, while preparing dinner—is so important and why teachers, who tend to use low-level words when talking to preschoolers, need to help develop broader vocabulary.

Educators call them tier 2 words—not using words like “really wet” but “drenched.” An article in the Harvard Education Letter, reports that research has revealed that a stronger vocabulary at a young age can be a key to closing the achievement gap.

And what’s more, it’s natural!