Prereading Abilities Research Articles

Structural neural connectivity correlates with pre-reading abilities in preschool children

Pre-reading abilities are predictive of later reading ability and can be assessed before reading begins. However, the neural correlates of pre-reading abilities in young children are not fully understood. To address this, we examined 246 datasets collected in an accelerated longitudinal design from 81 children aged 2–6 years (age = 4.6 ± 0.98 years, 47 males). Children completed pre-reading assessments (NEPSY-II Phonological Processing and Speeded Naming) and underwent a diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to assess white matter connectivity. We defined a core neural network of reading and language regions based on prior literature, and structural connections within this network were assessed using graph theory analysis. Linear mixed models accounting for repeated measures were used to test associations between children’s pre-reading performance and graph theory measures for the whole bilateral reading network and each hemisphere separately. Phonological Processing scores were positively associated with global efficiency, local efficiency, and clustering coefficient in the bilateral and right hemisphere networks, as well as local efficiency and clustering coefficient in the left hemisphere network. Our findings provide further evidence that structural neural correlates of Phonological Processing emerge in early childhood, before and during early reading instruction.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on pre-reading skills among Portuguese children

IntroductionAlthough it could be expected that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted preschool children’s abilities associated with later reading skills, research has not yet addressed the topic. Our study focused on the impact of the pandemic on phonological awareness (PA) and rapid automatized naming (RAN) abilities that have been shown to reliably predict later reading skills.MethodsA cohort of 82 typically developing European Portuguese children (mean age = 64.5 months, SD = 3.47), enrolled in their last year of preschool and dramatically affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, were assessed for PA and RAN skills.ResultsCompared to pre-pandemic normative data, our findings revealed lower average scores on the PA subtest (t = −10.85; p < 0.001; d = 1.62) and comparable average scores on the RAN task. A year later, the same group of children still exhibited lower scores on PA skills (t = 2.87; p = 0.005; d = 0.41). Furthermore, their word reading performance was also below the expected according to the normative pre-pandemic dataset (t = −2.69; p = 0.008; d = 0.29). A further comparison between the preschoolers affected by the pandemic and a post-pandemic cohort from the same school setting (N = 25; mean age = 72.08 months, SD = 3.30) highlighted that the pandemic cohort had lower PA average scores than their post-pandemic peers (t = 12.27; p < 0.001; d = 2.66).DiscussionThese findings underscore the enduring impact of disrupted learning environments on pre-reading abilities among preschoolers. Consequently, they contribute to further the understanding of the effects of the pandemic on the learning progress of young children.

Animated Video-based E-Flashcard Learning Media for Early Childhood Pre-Reading Abilities

The implementation of flashcards is still focused on image recognition and has yet to go too deep into letter recognition. This research aims to analyze the effect of animated video-based e-flashcards on the pre-reading abilities of young children. This type of research is quantitative with a quasi-experimental method and a nonequivalent control group design. The population of this study was early childhood children from group B class. The research sample consisted of two groups, namely group B1 as the control class and group B3 as the experimental class, totaling 38 children. Data collection methods use observation and documentation. Data analysis techniques use inferential statistics. The research results show the influence of the use of animated video-based e-flashcard learning media on the pre-reading abilities of early childhood. E-flashcard learning media can improve the pre-reading abilities of young children. Animated video-based e-flashcard learning media is equipped with additional features such as animation and sounds that can attract children's attention so that children can focus on the information conveyed.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Metode Multisensori dan Media Flashcard terhadap Peningkatan Kemampuan Pramembaca Anak

Pre-reading abilities in children can influence their development process and multisensory techniques and flashcard media are the right choices to improve the quality of children s pre-reading. This technique can help children who do not have pre-reading skills to develop better. The research method used is quantitative with a descriptive analysis concept. Based on data obtained from the use of multisensory techniques and flashcard media, the SPPS calculation results have a significance value of 0.006 which means less than 0.05. This means that it is proven that there is an influence on beginner reading skills. Therefore, these two methods have a significant effect on children s pre-reading abilities, so that each method has its own uniqueness, and is able to arouse children s learning enthusiasm while participating in the learning process.

Multimodal brain features at 3 years of age and their relationship with pre-reading measures 1 year later.

Pre-reading language skills develop rapidly in early childhood and are related to brain structure and functional architecture in young children prior to formal education. However, the early neurobiological development that supports these skills is not well understood. Here we acquired anatomical, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) from 35 children at 3.5 years of age. Children were assessed for pre-reading abilities using the NEPSY-II subtests 1 year later (4.5 years). We applied a data-driven linked independent component analysis (ICA) to explore the shared co-variation of gray and white matter measures. Two sources of structural variation at 3.5 years of age demonstrated relationships with Speeded Naming scores at 4.5 years of age. The first imaging component involved volumetric variability in reading-related cortical regions alongside microstructural features of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). The second component was dominated by cortical volumetric variations within the cerebellum and visual association area. In a subset of children with rs-fMRI data, we evaluated the inter-network functional connectivity of the left-lateralized fronto-parietal language network (FPL) and its relationship with pre-reading measures. Higher functional connectivity between the FPL and the default mode and visual networks at 3.5 years significantly predicted better Phonological Processing scores at 4.5 years. Together, these results suggest that the integration of functional networks, as well as the co-development of white and gray matter brain structures in early childhood, support the emergence of pre-reading measures in preschool children.

The Effect of Kaneta Media Implementation on the Early Reading Ability of Children

Early reading skills are one of the most important language developments to be developed in early childhood. This can be done through appropriate stimulation of learning, one of which is the accuracy in using learning media. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether there is an effect of the application of Kaneta media (Smart Flannel Bags) on children's early reading ability. This study used a pre-experimental quantitative method type one-group pretest-posttest design. The population of this research is the children of group A TK Dharma Wanita Persatuan Kedungboto, Porong District with saturated sampling technique with a total of 20 students. The data collection technique in this study used the results of the preliminary reading ability test. The data analysis technique used the dependent t test with the research results t count = 10.87 and t table = 2.093 so that tcount > t table, which means H 1 is accepted and H 0 is rejected. The results showed that the application of Kaneta media had an effect on children's pre-reading abilities, so teaching early reading in early childhood could be done using Kaneta media.

White matter properties associated with pre-reading skills in 6-year-old children born preterm and at term.

To assess associations between white matter properties and pre-reading skills (phonological awareness and receptive and expressive language) in children born preterm and at term at the onset of reading acquisition. Six-year-old children born preterm (n=36; gestational age 22-32wks) and at term (n=43) underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural assessments. Tracts were selected a priori based on findings from a study of 6-year-old children born at term: the left-hemisphere arcuate fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus, and right-hemisphere uncinate fasciculus. Using linear regression, we assessed associations between fractional anisotropy of tracts and phonological awareness and receptive and expressive language scores. We investigated whether associations were moderated by prematurity. Fractional anisotropy of the left-hemisphere arcuate fasciculus contributed unique variance to phonological awareness across birth groups. The association between fractional anisotropy of the right-hemisphere uncinate fasciculus and receptive and expressive language was significantly moderated by prematurity. A left-hemisphere tract was associated with phonological awareness in both birth groups. A right-hemisphere tract was associated with language only in the term group, suggesting that expressive and receptive language is mediated by different white matter pathways in 6-year-old children born preterm. These findings provide novel insights into similarities and differences of the neurobiology of pre-reading skills between children born preterm and at term at reading onset. White matter properties and pre-reading abilities were associated in children born preterm at the onset of reading. The neurobiology of phonological awareness was similar in children born preterm versus children born at term at 6 years. The neurobiology of language was different in children born preterm versus children born at term at 6 years.

Doprinos fonološke i sintaksičke svesnosti u početnom čitanju

The purpose of this research is to identify the relations between some of the pre-reading abilities as predictor variables and reading success as acrierion variable in first grade primary school pupils. The sample consisted of 200 respondents. The research was conducted in two phases. In Phase I, pre-school children were tested. The ELLA test was applied and it enabled the assessment of phonological awareness, memory, verbal fluency, fast naming and deciphering. Additionally, syntactic awareness was assessed by using the List of experimental tasks for evaluating knowledge on syntax. In Phase II, the reading abilities were assessed by applying the Three-Dimensional Reading Test on the same group of respondents who had been tested at their pre-school age; at the time of the reading test they were finalising the first grade of primary school. To establish the predictor variable of pre-reading abilities, Multiple Regression Analysis and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were conducted. The results indicate that phonological and syntactic awareness are significant predictors of early reading, whereas the phonological awareness has a stronger predicative value. However, we consider that the established importance of syntactic awareness in early reading is an important finding of our research, having in mind that syntactic awareness is more important for later reading stages.

Learning About Letters Through Handwriting Practice

The influence of visual-motor experiences with written symbols on pre-reading abilities, such as letter knowledge, have been shown to be facilitatory in both correlational studies on very young children and in experimental studies on older children. However, it is not known whether any fine-motor practice will create this benefit, whether it is specific to writing letters, or whether certain ages would benefit most from handwriting practice. Here, we hypothesized that immature fine-motor skill that produces variable forms may be crucial to the beneficial effects of handwriting training – predicting the younger children would benefit more from the training than older children. Preschool-aged children, ages three to five years, were divided into two experimental groups (letter-writing, digit-writing) in a 2x2x2 design: TIME (pre, post), AGE (younger, older), and CONDITION (letter-writing, digit-writing). Each group received six weeks of training. The letter-writing and digit-writing groups practiced writing letters (A-Z) or single digits (0-9), respectively, four times per week. Before and after the training period, each group received assessments targeting letter knowledge directly. We predicted that the younger age group, compared to the older age group, in the letter-writing condition would score significantly higher on the letter knowledge tasks at post-test than at pre-test and that this effect would not occur in the digit-writing group. Results demonstrated that the younger children did show a significantly greater improvement in letter recognition skills than the older age group, but this effect held for both the letter-and digit- writing groups. These results suggest, therefore, that any fine-motor practice at a young age can facilitate letter knowledge.

Community based study of sleep bruxism during early childhood

The aims for this study were to determine the prevalence of sleep-bruxism among young children, explore child behavior problems that may be associated with sleep-bruxism, and identify relations among sleep-bruxism, health problems, and neurocognitive performance. The current study was a retrospective analysis of parent report surveys, and behavioral and neurocognitive assessments. Parents of 1953 preschool and 2888 first grade children indicated their child's frequency of bruxism during sleep. A subsample of preschool children (n=249) had additional behavioral, as well as neurocognitive assessments. Among the subsample, parents also reported on their child's health, and completed the Child Behavioral Checklist; children were administered the Differential Ability Scales, and Pre-Reading Abilities subtests of the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment. 36.8% of preschoolers and 49.6% of first graders were reported to brux ⩾1time per week. Among the preschool subsample, bruxing was independently associated with increased internalizing behaviors (β=.17). Bruxism was also associated with increased health problems (β=.19), and increased health problems were associated with decreased neurocognitive performance (β=.22). The prevalence of sleep-bruxism was high. A dynamic and potentially clinically relevant relation exists among sleep-bruxism, internalizing behaviors, health, and neurocognition. Pediatric sleep-bruxism may serve as a sentinel marker for possible adverse health conditions, and signal a need for early intervention. These results support the need for an interdisciplinary approach to pediatric sleep medicine, dentistry, and psychology.

Early Language Learning and Literacy: Neuroscience Implications for Education

The last decade has produced an explosion in neuroscience research examining young children's early processing of language that has implications for education. Noninvasive, safe functional brain measurements have now been proven feasible for use with children starting at birth. In the arena of language, the neural signatures of learning can be documented at a remarkably early point in development, and these early measures predict performance in children's language and pre-reading abilities in the second, third, and fifth year of life, a finding with theoretical and educational import. There is evidence that children's early mastery of language requires learning in a social context, and this finding also has important implications for education. Evidence relating socio-economic status (SES) to brain function for language suggests that SES should be considered a proxy for the opportunity to learn and that the complexity of language input is a significant factor in developing brain areas related to language. The data indicate that the opportunity to learn from complex stimuli and events are vital early in life, and that success in school begins in infancy.

Entrée dans l’écrit en contexte plurilingue et défavorisé : développer les capacités métaphonologiques et sensibiliser à la diversité linguistique

Abstract:This article presents the results of research conducted in multilingual and underprivileged schools in Montreal. The goals of the first study were to observe the effects of participation in activities involving metaphonological capacities and the development of these capacities, as well as pre-reading abilities in French as a second language, among 107 students of immigrant origin in seven kindergarten classes (age five). A further analysis was conducted in order to determine whether there were differences in the results according to the type of intervention (with or without language awareness) and according to the type of class (regular or welcoming class). The second study involved the participation of a smaller number of students, specifically those attending the three welcoming classes in the school. In particular, it aimed to observe the effects of activities promoting language awareness on the students’ representations of the status of their first language (L1) in relation to that of the French language (L2) at their school and, in general, how they viewed linguistic diversity.

Bidirectional Relations of Phonological Sensitivity and Prereading Abilities: Evidence from a Preschool Sample

Children's phonological sensitivity is a strong predictor of the development of reading skills. Recent evidence indicates that phonological sensitivity and reading are reciprocally related. That is, phonological sensitivity facilitates the development of early reading and early reading facilitates the development of phonological sensitivity. Whereas evidence for this reciprocal relation has come from studies with school-age children, this study examined the relation between phonological sensitivity and letter knowledge in 97 middle-income 4- and 5-year-old children in a 1-year longitudinal study. Multiple regression analyses revealed that phonological sensitivity predicted growth in letter knowledge, and letter knowledge predicted growth in phonological sensitivity when controlling for children's age and oral language abilities. These results indicate that the reciprocal relation between reading and phonological sensitivity is present relatively early in the development of literacy skills, prior to the onset of formal reading instruction.

Sources of individual differences in reading acquisition.

Sources of individual differences in reading achievement were investigated in a longitudinal study of 543 children, A variety of individual attributes covering prereading abilities, oral language abilities, motor skills, personality, and home background were measured at school entry. Reading achievement was subsequently assessed at the end of Kindergarten and Grade 1. The strongest predictors of reading achievement were tasks tapping phonological processing skills, interdigital dexterity, and familiarity with the alphabetic code of English script. Collectively, individual attributes accounted for 63% of the variance in reading achievement at the end of Kindergarten and 59% at the end of Grade 1. A short set of five predictors offers a potentially useful screening test for the early identification of reading-disabled children. The effect of the ability composition of a child's class and school was also assessed. Significant ability-composition effects were obtained, accounting for 9% of Kindergarten and 6% of Grade 1 reading achievement variance over and above variance owing to individual factors. Peer ability was as strong a predictor of individual reading achievement as individual ability. Children emerging from primary school exhibit enormous variation in their reading achievement. Within a single school it is possible to find children who are reading at several grades above their own grade level, while other children at the same school are reading at several grades below. Furthermore, there are often substantial differences in reading achievement between schools. The source of this enormous variation in achievement has been the focus of considerable research in the last two decades. Both in-school factors, such as school and teacher characteristics, and out-of-school factors, such as individual pupil abilities and family background, have been investigated. The general conclusion from this research is that out-of-school factors have a far greater We wish to thank the district inspectors, principals, teachers, parents, and pupils associated with the schools in the Geelong region where the research was carried out. Particular thanks are due Barbara Matthews and Bobbie Waterman for their help with the testing of subjects and analysis of data. Financial support for the research was provided by the Percy Baxter Charitable Trust, Deakin University, and the Australian Research Grants Scheme.