This specific vocabulary collection comprises forty words deemed essential for emergent readers. These frequently encountered words, such as “a,” “and,” “the,” “is,” and “it,” form the foundation upon which basic reading skills are built. Exposure to and mastery of these terms helps young learners decode text, improving both reading fluency and comprehension.
Early and consistent exposure to these foundational terms provides a springboard for literacy development. By automatically recognizing these high-frequency words, young learners can focus their cognitive resources on deciphering unfamiliar words and comprehending the overall meaning of a text. Developed by Edward William Dolch in the 1930s and 40s based on his analysis of children’s literature, these lists remain relevant and widely used in early childhood education today. They provide a valuable framework for educators and parents seeking to support nascent reading skills.