Typical Vocabulary Words for 6–7 Year Olds

By the ages of 6 and 7, children are entering a stage of exciting growth in their language and communication skills.

Express Themselves

At this age, most children begin to express themselves more clearly, use a wider range of vocabulary, and understand how words relate to one another.

As they move through Year 2 or Year 3 (Key Stage 1 and early Key Stage 2 in the UK curriculum), their vocabulary becomes an essential tool not just for reading and writing, but also for thinking, problem-solving, and learning across all subjects.

What Kind of Words Should They Know?

Children aged 6–7 typically begin to master a mix of:

Everyday vocabulary used in conversation

Words related to school and learning

Basic describing words (adjectives)

Action words (verbs)

Simple conjunctions and time words

Emotions and feeling words

Here’s a breakdown of typical word types and examples

Nouns (naming words)

dog, school, friend, pencil, garden

Children should be able to name familiar objects, places, and people.

Verbs (action words)

run, jump, think, write, help

These help them describe what they or others are doing.

Adjectives (describing words)

happy, cold, loud, small, bright

These words help them give more detail in their writing and speech.

Time and Sequence Words

first, next, then, after, finally

Useful for storytelling and explaining steps in a process.

Emotions and Feelings

angry, sad, excited, scared, proud

Helps them identify and express how they feel or how characters in a story feel.

Conjunctions and Connectives

and, but, because, so, if

These words help join ideas and build longer, more interesting sentences.

Why Is This Vocabulary Important?

Having a strong grasp of these word types helps children:

Read with greater understanding

Follow instructions more easily

Express their ideas clearly in writing and speaking

Develop confidence in communication

Understand word meaning in context — vital for maths, science, and problem-solving

How to Support Vocabulary Growth at Home

Typical Vocabulary Words for 6–7 Year Olds

Read aloud regularly — Stories introduce new words in context.

Play word games — Simple games like “I spy,” rhyming games, or word matching help reinforce vocabulary.

Encourage conversation — Ask open-ended questions and give children time to express their thoughts.

Use tracing and writing activities — Tracing word packs help link spelling, meaning, and writing – click here for TRACE WRITE (part of the Ninja Vocab group).

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