This specific vocabulary list comprises a set of 40 frequently used English words considered essential for emergent readers. Examples include “a,” “and,” “away,” “big,” “blue,” “can,” “come,” “down,” “find,” and “for.” Mastery of this foundational vocabulary allows young learners to decode text more easily and build confidence in their reading abilities.
These high-frequency terms form the building blocks for early literacy development. By recognizing these words automatically, children can focus their cognitive resources on comprehending the overall meaning of the text. This foundational vocabulary was developed by Edward William Dolch in the 1930s and 1940s based on his analysis of children’s books of that era. These lists remain relevant today and are widely used in early childhood education.
