High frequency words for kids appear often in English text. Thus, the ability to recognize and understand these words is essential for reading comprehension and fluency. But what are the high frequency words your child should know?
In this article, we’ll explain what high frequency terms are and how they differ from sight words. We’ll also provide a list of the most common high frequency words in English - so you know exactly what terms to teach at home. Finally, we’ll share some simple and practical tips to help you start teaching high frequency vocabulary today!
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What are high frequency words?
High Frequency Words vs Sight Words
Why are these words important?
What are high frequency words?
English high frequency words are the most commonly used words in English reading and writing. According to education experts, approximately 300 words account for 75% of the vocabulary typically used to read and write in English.
High frequency words include terms with both regular and irregular spelling patterns.
Some examples of high frequency words in English include “and,” “like,” “has,” “because,” and “about.”
High Frequency Words vs Sight Words - What’s the Difference?
High frequency words for kids are sometimes referred to as sight words. But, although these terms are used interchangeably, they are not the same.
What is the difference between sight words and high frequency words? Both occur commonly in written text, but sight words are terms that have been committed to memory and can be recognized “at first sight.” On the other hand, high frequency terms are simply the words that occur most commonly in English print.
That said, high frequency words often become sight words, as children learn to recognize them instantly. In fact, any word can become a sight word if a child commits it to memory and can identify it “at first sight.” Thus, many high frequency terms are included on sight word lists.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Most sight words are high frequency words, but not all high frequency words are sight words.
Looking for a list of sight words your child should know? Here are complete sight word lists for different ages:
The sight word lists above include many important high frequency terms. Thus, if your child knows these words, they will be well on their way to reading success! However, some high frequency words in English are not included in these lists.
25 High Frequency Terms Not on Sight Words Lists
The high frequency words below are not typically included on sight word lists. However, these words are essential for your child to know - so be sure to introduce them early and often.
- American
- anyone
- asked
- given
- I’m
- I’ve
- later
- longer
- mean
- message
- Mr
- Mrs
- news
- nice
- phone
- post
- price
- public
- question
- really
- search
- service
- support
- taken
Why are high frequency words important?
High frequency words are encountered by kids regularly when reading and writing in English. Therefore, learning these words is essential to a child’s reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence.
Early mastery of these words can also help reduce reading struggles later on.
Start with These 32 Words
Our complete list of 300 high frequency words below may seem daunting. So, here’s a more manageable list to help you get started.
Why this list? These 32 words make up approximately 33% of all your child’s English reading material. Thus, starting with these words is a great way to put your child on a path to reading success.
- a
- all
- and
- are
- as
- at
- be
- but
- for
- had
- have
- he
- him
- his
- I
- in
- is
- it
- not
- of
- on
- one
- said
- so
- that
- the
- they
- to
- was
- we
- with
- you
Now, if you’re ready to tackle a more comprehensive high frequency word list, here are the 300 most common terms found in English text for kids.
Foundational High Frequency Word List (300 Most Common Words)
Below is a list of the 300 most common words used in English reading and writing. If your child learns these words, they will be familiar with about 75% of all the words in English print for kids.
- the
- to
- and
- of
- a
- in
- is
- I
- you
- it
- for
- that
- on
- was
- with
- are
- this
- be
- not
- as
- at
- he
- have
- from
- or
- they
- all
- but
- by
- your
- one
- can
- we
- his
- if
- will
- what
- about
- my
- do
- there
- an
- up
- had
- out
- when
- so
- no
- would
- more
- she
- were
- her
- like
- me
- some
- their
- other
- time
- has
- get
- them
- then
- people
- how
- see
- who
- just
- new
- into
- now
- been
- which
- only
- could
- know
- any
- these
- over
- than
- back
- him
- first
- very
- us
- go
- our
- good
- may
- make
- here
- two
- many
- also
- way
- did
- where
- use
- down
- home
- well
- after
- day
- think
- help
- find
- most
- work
- its
- made
- too
- little
- want
- right
- because
- much
- even
- each
- should
- through
- before
- long
- take
- look
- must
- off
- am
- around
- why
- come
- old
- last
- still
- need
- same
- man
- such
- got
- big
- next
- something
- another
- name
- water
- say
- world
- never
- great
- again
- those
- place
- read
- put
- school
- house
- part
- under
- while
- found
- own
- every
- away
- small
- year
- tell
- life
- three
- best
- really
- set
- high
- might
- went
- both
- thought
- came
- without
- few
- better
- always
- let
- book
- give
- end
- between
- left
- show
- thing
- sure
- top
- hard
- keep
- money
- free
- once
- white
- live
- room
- information
- yes
- page
- since
- group
- please
- number
- city
- men
- children
- head
- black
- until
- night
- large
- call
- play
- enough
- run
- today
- ever
- line
- food
- hand
- open
- try
- air
- family
- car
- real
- side
- far
- against
- lot
- course
- person
- took
- change
- anything
- light
- state
- saw
- red
- told
- feel
- however
- important
- system
- someone
- mother
- during
- full
- along
- game
- job
- together
- nothing
- seen
- list
- kind
- body
- care
- though
- special
- box
- order
- soon
- word
- buy
- sun
- done
- second
- yet
- country
- often
- start
- young
- story
- oh
- business
- above
- heard
- able
- almost
- land
- sound
- face
- four
- front
- point
- mean
- ask
- else
- stop
- learn
- street
- ago
- write
- problem
- bad
- everything
- maybe
How to Teach High Frequency Words at Home
Need help teaching high frequency vocabulary to kids at home? Here are some helpful tips for introducing and practicing high frequency words in English, as well as important do’s and don’ts when teaching these words at home.
Practical Tips for How to Introduce New Terms
- Introduce new high frequency words to your child before they see them in books or other text they’re reading. For example, say the words aloud and use them in everyday speech, and/or write new words on paper and discuss them with your child.
- When introducing a new word, discuss its features with your child. For example, talk about the sound the word starts with, how many letters it has, etc. This meaningful conversation about the word will help your child remember it.
- Point out new words in context. For example, read a story out loud to your child, pointing out high frequency words as you read them. If possible, highlight the word in a meaningful context. For instance, point out the word in your child’s favorite story.
- Have your child practice tracing new words (in the air or on paper). This active technique can help reinforce recall.
Helpful Tips for How to Practice High Frequency Words
- Incorporate high frequency terms into daily conversations with your child. Use these words in your speech and encourage your child to use them when they talk.
- Discuss similar and confusing words. For example, high frequency words like “their” and “there” can be confusing. Take the time to point out the differences between these words - like meaning, spelling, etc. - to help your child understand, remember, and differentiate between the terms.
- Incorporate decodable high frequency terms (i.e., those with regular spellings) into phonics activities. Many high frequency words in English are decodable, meaning they follow typical phonics rules and patterns. Therefore, it makes sense to teach these words as part of phonics instruction rather than through memorization. Doing so will help your child better understand how a word is constructed, leading to better comprehension and long-term retention.
- Use fun games and interactive activities. Here are two examples to try at home.
- Create a list of the high frequency vocabulary your child is practicing. Then, read a story and have them find as many words as possible.
- Make word cards with high frequency terms your child is learning. Then, line up the cards on a flat surface. Say one of the words aloud and ask your child to find and remove that word. To level up this game, provide clues about the word instead. For example, if the word is “they,” you might say “find the word that starts with ‘t’ and rhymes with “say.””
- Reinforce learning by incorporating multi-sensory techniques. Below are two multi-sensory activities to try at home.
- Create a list of high frequency words and have your child find and cut out these words from magazines, newspapers, etc.
- Have your child write out the high frequency terms they are practicing in sand or shaving cream.
Do’s
- Start with a small set of high frequency words.
- Practice every day (for a short period).
- Use multi-sensory techniques.
- Make it fun with the help of activities and games.
- Review previously learned words.
- Adapt activities based on your child’s individual needs.
- Connect words with their meaning and context.
Don’ts
- Overwhelm your child with too many words at once.
- Focus solely on memorization through flashcards.
- Forget to practice writing/spelling the words.
Helpful Tools for Teaching High Frequency Words
Two of the most essential tools to have when teaching your child high frequency vocabulary are - a high frequency word list and children’s books with high frequency terms. With these tools, you’ll have everything you need to create educational games and activities and to demonstrate high frequency words in context.
PRO TIP: Reading apps for kids, like Booka, are also beneficial - as they offer unlimited access to children’s stories.
Ready to teach high frequency words at home? Get started with Booka!
Helping your child master high frequency words in English is easier than ever with the Booka reading app for kids.
Booka’s vast library of children’s books makes it quick and easy to find captivating stories with high frequency words. As a result, your child can practice identifying and reading high frequency vocabulary anywhere, anytime, at the touch of a button.
Ready to boost your child's reading skills?