What’s in a Name?

Why Vocabulary Matters More Than You Think

One of the most surprising things I notice in students today is how often they struggle to name everyday objects or familiar things they’ve seen. This gap in vocabulary has serious consequences—not just for writing, but especially for reading comprehension.

Just because a child has seen something in their environment doesn’t mean they’ll recognise it in a story. Take bodies of water, for example. A narrative set by a lake, river, creek, pond, or ocean will unfold very differently depending on the setting. But if a child doesn’t understand the differences between these places, they may struggle to visualise the story or grasp why characters behave the way they do in those environments.

It’s the same with settings like farms. If a child has no concept of what a farm is—what animals live there, what the animals’ babies are called, or how they’re cared for—they’ll miss key details that give the story meaning. Likewise, being able to distinguish between the city and the countryside helps children make sense of where the action is happening and how that influences the story’s events.

These aren’t just “extra” bits of knowledge—they’re essential building blocks for comprehension.

Even more concerning is how many children can’t confidently say where they live or explain how far away family members are. This kind of spatial awareness helps them follow stories that involve travel or distance. It also helps them relate what they read to their own lives.

One of the best ways to build your child’s vocabulary is through travel—even if it’s just a day trip. Involve your child in planning: Where are you going? How will you get there? What will it cost? What should you pack? While you’re out and about, name the things you see. Use full, correct terms. These little conversations can make a big difference in your child’s learning and language development.

Start Young, Speak Clearly, and Build Vocabulary Daily

Children who have a rich vocabulary find learning to read—and understanding what they read—so much easier. It’s never too early to start using correct names for things. Over time, this builds a strong foundation that supports all areas of learning.

Here are a few quick questions you might ask your child. You may be surprised by the answers:

• Where do you live? What’s your street name? Suburb? State? Country?

• What are Mum and Dad’s names? First and last?

• What types of transport can you name?

• Can you name at least five farm animals?

• When we walk beside the road, what do we walk on?

• What do we call animals with feathers and wings?

• Who do you call in an emergency?

These might sound basic—but they’re just a few examples of everyday knowledge that many children are missing. Have some fun with this! Ask questions, name things, explore your environment together. You’ll be amazed at how much learning happens in the smallest of moments.

Download our quick checklist of questions here.

What ones can you think of adding to this list?