US
site
UK
site
AU site
EU
site
What if your child could grow their vocabulary by nearly a quarter in just a few weeks all while playing a game?
That’s exactly what researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) discovered when they studied Word Tag, our vocabulary adventure game. In just six weeks, the 103 children who played Word Tag improved their vocabulary test scores by an average of 22%, with students in the top decile achieving gains of up to 50%.
And here’s the remarkable part: these results came during the busiest end-of-year school season, when kids only played about one-third of the prescribed days and for far less than the recommended 20 minutes per session. With the full daily play, the potential could be even greater.
Why Vocabulary Matters
Vocabulary isn’t just about knowing more words. It’s the foundation for reading comprehension and academic success. Even 2% unknown words—about 5–8 per page—can stop many readers from understanding a text.
Building vocabulary depth — not just word lists, but knowing how words work in context — helps kids think critically, infer meaning, and express themselves more clearly.
Why Word Tag Works
Word Tag isn’t a drill or a flashcard app. It’s a fast-paced, story-driven adventure built on solid learning science:
- Spaced repetition makes sure learners encounter words at the right intervals so they stick into long term memory.
- AI-powered adaptive challenge keeps them in the sweet spot — not too easy, not too hard.
- Active learning through play means kids apply new words in sentences, compare synonyms, and see words in different contexts.
Kids barely notice they’re learning — but the results show they’re making big strides.
The Results
CMU’s independent study tested more than 100 students before and after six weeks of playing Word Tag.
1. Trained words (introduced in the game): 22% average improvement.
2. Untrained words (not taught in the game): 8.4% improvement, showing that learning transferred beyond the app. I.E explicit vocabulary instruction leads to faster vocab development more generally.
3. Some children gained up to 50% in their scores.
And all of this was achieved even though most students logged in only 10 out of 30 possible days, for just 12–14 minutes at a time.
Why This Matters for Parents and Teachers
For parents, this means short, fun sessions of Word Tag can give your child a measurable boost in reading and vocabulary.
For teachers, it shows that game-based learning can reinforce classroom instruction, helping students build both the breadth (more words) and depth (knowing how words work) of vocabulary. Both are essential for reading comprehension and long-term learning success.
The Takeaway
When kids spend just a few weeks with Word Tag, their vocabulary can leap forward by as much as 22% on average. That’s not just a statistic. It’s a child who now understands more of what they read, explains ideas more clearly, and feels more confident in learning.
And the best part? They’ll think they’re just playing a game.
Want to partner for our research pilot? Click here
Check how to apply for a grant here.
The study took place over 6 weeks during the Spring 2025 school year.
https://mrswordsmith.com
Comment
Leave a comment