How does strong vocabulary influence early childhood development?

When a child learns a new word, they understand what it means and how to say it; this is the first step to developing vocabulary—even before learning to read and write. 

For example, a child learns the word "ball", understands what it is, and knows what that word means, all of this before being introduced to the writing and reading of the word in itself. 

Building vocabulary, then, can happen independently, and the earlier they start, the stronger their foundations are when they begin learning the language in school. 

Why is developing vocabulary significant in early childhood?

With vocabulary development, children can make sense of the world around them, which helps them communicate their feelings and understand others. 

A good sense of vocabulary promotes all areas of communication like listening, writing, reading, and speaking. Research has revealed that a child's vocabulary during preschool is directly linked to future academic success. When preschoolers are constantly exposed to a rich vocabulary, their comprehension and reading skills are enhanced. 

Children with a solid vocabulary better understand the context surrounding words. Making it easy for them to comprehend better and interpret sentence structures and context, which, when repeated, gets embedded in their memory. As children grow, their social skills also need to be strengthened. 

They need to learn to express themselves effectively and understand when others speak, which can only be achieved by mastering essential elements of language.

Types of vocabulary

The four different types of vocabulary categorized here are based on spoken and written language. The development of one leads, in turn, to the advancement of others.

Listening

Listening vocabulary is built by children when they hear words spoken to or around them. A child from birth listens to up to 21,000 words a day, which helps them connect spoken words with their meanings. 

It is not uncommon to hear a toddler repeat everything they hear, which is why it is important to use words around young children that you wouldn’t mind repeating after you.

Speaking

A subset of listening vocabulary, speaking vocabulary makes up the words used in speech. Through speaking, your child displays their knowledge of words. 

Your child slowly learns to speak new words after listening to them multiple times and remembering to use them in similar contexts or conversations. So when a child hears “crayon,” it will be repeated repeatedly until they can fully comprehend that word.

Reading

Reading vocabulary consists of the words we recognize and understand when text is read aloud. Children learn spellings, meanings, and context through reading, and as they grow, they will be able to identify words from the text even when they do not use those particular words in everyday conversation. 

Reading vocabulary is a passive way to learn words. After learning to recognize the different shapes of the alphabet, early readers begin to understand written words and how they're related to other words and letters. So when the letters O C N A R E become familiar, for example, reading “ONE CAR” becomes easy.

Writing

Writing vocabulary refers to words used when we write to express ourselves. Through writing skills, a child will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of words in terms of their meaning, correct usage, and how to spell them.

Two approaches to vocabulary development

There are two main approaches to developing vocabulary in a child:

Indirect learning

Children from a young age learn new words indirectly through listening. They learn new words in four ways—through daily conversations they listen to, stories read aloud to them, and hearing words through movies, shows, or other media.

Direct learning

Direct vocabulary teaching happens by focusing on words and their meanings. This can be done through discussions, visual aids, and engaging the child in various vocabulary learning activities. Most of the words children learn are through indirect learning, but direct learning helps children learn longer, more complex words, which may not be used daily, but are learned nevertheless.

Building a strong vocabulary from a young age is essential for children to make sense of the world around them and learn to communicate better. Good command of the language also boosts confidence and social skills through childhood and into adulthood. It can even set the stage for their academic success in the long run.

At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school. 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child’s development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.

We see toddlers throwing tantrums or getting frustrated quickly because they still don't knowhow to express themselves through words. But as they reach preschool years, having a goodvocabulary helps them develop their social and communication skills, both with their peers andadults.