A child may understand most classroom reading but occasionally meet a word that blocks the sentence or topic. A quick advance check can help them enter the lesson with the meaning available.

Let the child identify the gap

Ask school for the key vocabulary before a topic where possible. Many schools share a ‘knowledge organiser’ for each topic, a one-page sheet of key words and facts. Invite your child to mark words they cannot explain.

For each unfamiliar word:

1. Say it clearly.

2. Check a short meaning.

3. Connect it with a picture, object or familiar example.

4. Use it in one sentence.

5. Keep the list beside related homework.

For habitat, a child might say “the place where an animal or plant lives” and connect it with a pond habitat.

Over time, let your child choose which words they want help with. Avoid reviewing every word on the list or asking for copied definitions.

When the topic begins, ask which words were useful and remove those they now know well.