Children who already have a large vocabulary in daycare age appear to have a better chance of doing well in the Pisa assessment, according to a study from Swedish-speaking Finland. The conclusion is based on work with more than 600 children and suggests that later school success may begin taking shape very early.

The researchers have also developed a tool to map children’s skills. That makes it possible to identify strengths and support needs earlier, which could help educators and policymakers decide where support is needed most.

HBL reports that the findings highlight the importance of early language development for later learning outcomes. For daycare centres, the message is that building vocabulary is not only about everyday communication, but also about laying the groundwork for future school performance.