A CORE VOCABULARY
FROM
CHILDREN'S WRITING
Words most
frequently written by Adelaide children
inyears
3 ‑7
1-50
the
on
there
go
and
went
up
as
I
had
she
her
a
is
me
saw
to
then
out
came
was
for
got
him
it
said
with
back
we
whe
at
after
in
so
you
are
of
that
all
about
he
but
his
very
my
one
day
have
they
were
Words 1-50 account for 49% of all words written
51‑100
down
what
their
Mum
be
house
around
next
home
this
if
put
like
time
who
us
some
will
found
did
them
going
night
come
would
off
see
now
not
could
little
door
because
two
people
just
into
took
do
Christmas
get
over
started
told
from
an
man
our
by
ran
Words 51-100 account for 10% of all words written
101- 200
Dad
good
bed
through
where
morning
dog
left
am
way
made
three
old
been
first
don't
big
car
has
white
looked
didn't
too
Mother
no
away
know
nice
which
heard
suddenly
well
school
called
only
find
can
name
Mr.
take
or
other
your
end
asked
again
water
Father
look
yes
play
something
before
gave
still
walking
once
lived
years
why
place
men
tree
cat
thought
boy
how
girl
long
walked
later
never
more
plane
children
looking
police
friend
happy
lunch
boat
until
another
turned
soon
lot
last
help
fell
white
cave
sleep
inside
room
friends
small
things
every
Mrs.
black
201-300
much
right
most
island
stopped
set
red
ran
decided
finished
world
oh
five
hour
boys
ate
here
knew
caught
behind
few
o'clock
dead
breakfast
money
every
earth
brother
always
coming
live
flying
horse
I'm
lost
front
year
make
new
hot
days
story
opened
like
family
under
ten
same
really
wanted
window
give
also
any
woke
love
great
food
half
birthday
it's
outside
minutes
eat
think
thing
everyone
hours
tried
many
jumped
Mars
want
tea
stay
mouse
couldn't
ground
baby
reached
dark
John
lady
road
head
sat
lots
eyes
walk
work
pageant
kept
fire
best
played
both
four
life
beach
green
Words
201‑300 account for 4% of all words written.
This list was created in Adelaide as part of a research project by staff at
Salisbury Teachers College (now Adelaide University) around 1972, but the
vocabulary is still relevant today.