What does developing word knowledge primarily contribute to?

Developing word knowledge is essential for reading proficiency as it directly influences a child's ability to decode words, understand vocabulary, and make sense of the text. When children have a strong grasp of words, including their meanings and usage, they are better equipped to comprehend stories, articles, and other written materials. This comprehension not only involves recognizing words but also comprehending their meanings in context, which is crucial for overall literacy development. As children engage with a variety of texts, their expanding vocabulary enhances their ability to make connections and infer meanings, further solidifying their reading proficiency. In contrast, other choices, such as mathematical comprehension, writing mechanics, and visual literacy, while important, are not primarily influenced by word knowledge in the same way as reading proficiency is.