Preliteracy Development Research Articles

ROZVOJ ČTENÁŘSKÉ PREGRAMOTNOSTI V RODINĚ PŘEDŠKOLNÍCH DĚTÍ

The current study is part of a dissertation that deals with the development of reading literacy in a family of preschool children in kindergarten. This study aimed to determine the parental practices that influence preliteracy development in preschool children. For these purposes, a combination of research methods was used - a questionnaire, a diary of parents and an interview with parents. In this post, I present the interviews' results in comparison with the pre-test, which was aimed at determining language and speech skills. The results showed that the differences between parents' practices are noticeable, which to some extent corresponds to the results of individual children in a standardized language and speech skills test. At the end of the thesis, I consider the possible connections of these research findings.

Story hour at a family homeless center: contribution to graduate students’ preparation and confidence in preliteracy skills

PurposeThis study evaluated the potential benefit to graduate students’ of participating in a service-learning program conducting a storybook reading program for children in a family homeless shelter. MethodTen graduate students in the second year of a two-year master's degree program in communication science and disorders participated in the storybook reading program. The graduate students engaged in reflective writing about their experiences and completed self-ratings of confidence in preliteracy skills before and after program participation. Twenty graduate students in two comparison groups (10 students in a pre-program comparison group, and 10 in a post-program comparison group) also completed questionnaires. The mixed-methods study used quantitative analyses to analyze questionnaire ratings and qualitative methods to analyze reflective writings. ResultsTogether, the quantitative and qualitative results indicated positive outcomes from the service-learning experience with regard to graduate students’ perceived confidence in preliteracy skills and preparation for careers as speech-language pathologists. The results provide empirical data showing that service-learning experiences with at-risk populations can contribute to graduate students’ clinical education and preparation as speech-language pathologists. ConclusionThe results support the value of service-learning experiences in communication sciences and disorders. Clinical preparation in preliteracy development also supports the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association statement on the roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists in relation to reading and writing in children.

Prevalence of language and pre‐literacy difficulties in an Australian cohort of 5‐year‐old children experiencing adversity

Early reading success is predicated on language and pre-literacy skills. Children who are behind their peers in language and pre-literacy development before formal schooling are less likely to be proficient beginner readers, and difficulties may persist throughout primary school and beyond. We know children experiencing adversity are at greater risk of early language and pre-literacy difficulties; we do not know the prevalence of these difficulties in an Australian adversity context. To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of language and pre-literacy difficulties in a cohort of Australian 5-year-old children experiencing social adversity. Data were drawn from a large Australian community-based trial of nurse home visiting (right@home), which aimed to support women experiencing social adversity from pregnancy until their child turned 2 years of age. Social adversity was determined by two of more risk factors: young pregnancy, not living with another adult, no support, poorer health, current smoker, long-term illness, anxious mood, not finishing high school, no household income and no previous employment. Children whose mothers were enrolled in the control group (receiving usual maternal and child healthcare) were included in the current study (n = 359). Language and pre-literacy skills were measured at age 5 using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamental Preschool-Second Edition (CELF-P2) and the School Entry Alphabetic and Phonological Awareness Readiness Test (SEAPART). Language difficulties were defined as ≥ 1.25 standard deviations (SD) below the Australian normative mean on CELF-P2 Core Language scores. Pre-literacy difficulties were defined as children scoring in the Beginner (versus Developing or Competent) criterion-referenced level on the SEAPART First Sound Identification and/or Alphabet Letter Identification subtests. Co-occurrence of language and pre-literacy difficulties was also determined. At the 5-year follow-up, 201/359 (56%) children were assessed (mean age = 5.1 years, SD = 0.1). Mean Core Language score for this cohort (91.8, SD = 15.9) was 0.54 SD below the normative mean (100, SD = 15). The proportion of children presenting with language difficulties was 24.9%. Regarding pre-literacy skills, 43.8% of children were 'Beginner' for identifying first sounds and 58.6% for identifying alphabet letters/sounds. There was also considerable overlap whereby 76.7% of children with language difficulties also exhibited pre-literacy difficulties. This is the first empirical Australian-based study highlighting the high prevalence and co-occurrence of language and pre-literacy difficulties in preschool children experiencing social adversity. Clinicians should be aware of co-morbid language and pre-literacy difficulties in disadvantaged populations and consider both areas during assessment and intervention planning. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject The prevalence of language and literacy difficulties is substantially higher in cohorts experiencing social adversity when compared with more advantaged families. There is some evidence that adversity also contributes to pre-literacy difficulties, but less is known here. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study presents new prevalence data showing high rates of language and pre-literacy difficulties for 5-year-old children experiencing adversity within an Australian context. It is the first to explore these skills in a large cohort of pre-schoolers recruited from community settings in Australia. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? In this cohort experiencing adversity, most children who presented with language difficulties likewise exhibited pre-literacy difficulties. This concordance reflects how early oral language and pre-literacy skills develop together. Clinicians should assess both skills in preschool populations-especially those working with children experiencing adversity-to ensure all children have strong foundations to become proficient beginner readers.

Relations between parental math beliefs and emergent math skills among preschoolers from low-income households

ABSTRACT We examined how parent math attitudes and practices relate to emergent math skills in 72 preschoolers from low-income households. Specifically, we investigated parents’ views about the importance of math learning, their confidence in teaching math, their perceptions of child interest in math, and their time spent engaging their child in math activities. For comparison, we also investigated these attitudes and practices surrounding preliteracy development. Parents rated math as significantly less important than reading and perceived their children as being significantly less interested in math than reading. Reports of confidence in teaching math and perceptions of child interest in math were positively related to time spent engaging preschoolers in math activities. In turn, global reports of time spent engaging preschoolers in math activities were positively related to preschoolers’ actual math achievement. These findings strengthen the case that parental beliefs surrounding math predict practices associated with early math development.

Relationship between Socio-Economic Status, Interpersonal Communication, and School Climate with Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education

Relationship between Socio-Economic Status, Interpersonal Communication, and School Climate with Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education

Facilitating Preliteracy Development in Children With Hearing Loss When the Home Language Is Not English

Prior research shows that preliteracy development of children with a hearing loss from homes where English is not the primary language parallels literacy development in children with hearing loss from monolingual homes. Although there are some parallels, there are also some elements that are unique to children from linguistically diverse, bilingual backgrounds. Understanding these commonalities and differences sets the stage to discuss appropriate interventions to develop language and literacy. Literacy-based interventions used with bilingual children who do not have a hearing loss, and/or with bilingual children with additional challenges, are explored for their implications for developing language and literacy in children with hearing loss when the home language is not English.

Visual Literacy and Its Impact on Pre-literacy Development

ABSTRACTThis paper details a research study, conducted by the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) and Toledo Public Schools (TPS), outlining the impact of visual literacy interventions on pre-literacy development. Because TPS K-3 students regularly fail the state report card in literacy, the two groups co-developed a curriculum that enhanced tier two vocabulary acquisition for preschool students. Elements of the curriculum, detailed in the paper, included regular visits to the TMA and curricula interventions in TPS classrooms further promote art museums as valuable resources for learning in and out of schools.

Theory-Based Parameterization of Semiotics for Measuring Pre-literacy Development

A probabilistic model was applied to problem of measuring pre-literacy in young children. First, semiotic philosophy and contemporary cognition research were conceptually integrated to establish theoretical foundations for rating 14 characteristics of children's drawings and narratives (N = 120). Then ratings were transformed with a Rasch model, which estimated linear item parameter values that accounted for 79 percent of rater variance. Principle Components Analysis of item residual matrix confirmed variance remaining after item calibration was largely unsystematic. Validation analyses found positive correlations between semiotic measures and preschool literacy outcomes. Practical implications of a semiotics dimension for preschool practice were discussed.

PAVEd for Success: An Evaluation of a Comprehensive Preliteracy Program for Four-Year-Old Children

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PAVEd for Success, comprehensive preliteracy program guidelines to support the development of foundational preliteracy skills in 4 year olds. Prekindergarten teachers received professional development on variables of the program that included a summer institute, after-school workshops, and classroom support from preliteracy specialists. Children were assessed at prekindergarten entry, following the implementation period and at the end of the school year. Vocabulary knowledge, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge were assessed during the prekindergarten year, and early literacy indicators and early decoding skills were assessed at the end of the kindergarten year. While all experimental variables showed some benefits to the development of children's preliteracy skills, only the full program benefited children who entered the prekindergarten program at risk for reading difficulties. The program participants benefited in early literacy and decoding skills when compared to controls. Implementation by teachers with support and sustainability of program features without support was also evaluated. Teachers were most likely to implement and sustain program features which shared consistency with some prior literacy focus and when they were able to integrate program features across the curriculum. This research suggests that long-term change in the literacy skills of young children will involve complex and multifaceted approaches to preliteracy development.

Historical Perspectives on Literacy in Early Childhood

To more fully understand current trends in preliteracy research, as well as controversies that continue to surround best teaching practices, it is essential to have an understanding of the historical evolution of ideas and practices relevant to preparing young children for learning to read. Several interrelated historical movements relevant to placing current research and practices related to preliteracy development in context are reviewed. These ideas play out in the interrelated and changing ideas regarding the role of the family in children's literacy development, as well as in the appropriate curriculum for preschoolers. Both historical reviews and original documents pertinent to the various historical trends are used to provide the current synthesis. The roots of most current practices during, and controversies regarding, the preliteracy period of development can be traced to a variety of different historical events, as well as to prominent philosophers and educators. Familiarity with these events, philosophers, and educators provides the perspective needed to effectively evaluate new information and approaches that come to the forefront, or that are currently being practiced by different groups or in different settings.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Inattention and Preliteracy Development

Objective: The link between significant attention problems and reading difficulties among school-age children is clear, but few have examined the impact of early inattention on preliteracy development. This longitudinal study examines this link. Method: A total of 47 children had repeated measures of teacher-rated attention problems and three key preliteracy skills (phonemic awareness, letter knowledge, and rapid naming) in both preschool and kindergarten. Results: Teacher-reported attention problems in preschool significantly and negatively predicted both phonemic awareness and letter naming scores 1 year later, even after controlling for initial language ability and preschool performance on these tasks. Levels of preschool inattention did not significantly predict rapid automatic naming 1 year later. Likewise, preschool preliteracy scores did not predict attention problems in kindergarten. Conclusion: Early attention problems may interfere with the acquisition of certain preliteracy skills. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are presented. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 14(1) 79-85)

Parent Involvement in Preschool: Predictors and the Relation of Involvement to Preliteracy Development

The present study examined the relation between parent involvement in preschool and children's preliteracy skills. It also examined socioeconomic status (SES), parent depression, and single-parent status as predictors of parent involvement. Participants were 163 preschool-aged children from mostly low-income families, their parents, and their teachers. Teachers rated parent involvement, and preliteracy skills were assessed with standardized tests. Greater parent involvement was associated with stronger preliteracy skills. SES was positively associated with involvement, although involvement still predicted preliteracy development controlling for SES. No significant relation was found between depression and parent involvement. Single-parent status was associated with less involvement, and data were consistent with single-parent status partially mediating the relation between SES and involvement. These findings extend work with older children, and provide a step toward understanding possible mechanisms in the relation between SES and parent involvement.

Tracking Preschoolers' Language and Preliteracy Development Using a General Outcome Measurement System

A general outcome measurement system designed for use in early childhood represents an alternative to current assessment practices. This article describes an application of a general outcome measurement system, Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDIs), with 68 preschool children attending early childhood programs in east-central Minnesota. IGDIs were administered on three occasions from January to May at four early childhood sites, with one site implementing an intervention after the second administration. Results indicated that the measures were easy to use; were efficient in administration, scoring, and data interpretation; and provided valuable information for making decisions about early childhood education and special education. Obtained rates of growth over time were similar to those for other applications of IGDIs and demonstrated some sensitivity to intervention.

Preliteracy Domains and Stages

This article begins by providing a model of the domains of preliteracy development that is derived from a model of the later reading process adapted by Adams (1990) from Seidenberg and McClelland (1989). Adams' model, as the one for preliteracy development offered here, contains four components: an orthographic, phonological, meaning, and context processor. Two of the preliteracy processors — the orthographic and the phonological—- contain various subskills that are foundational for later development of the form aspect of print. Two other processors — the meaning and the context — contain subskills foundational to the meaning component of print. The relationship of the various subskills in the preliteracy model to prereading activities and later reading is discussed. The model is then related to two stages of preliteracy development revised from those presented by van Kleeck (1995). The first stage emphasizes the meaning and functions of print. The second stage adds, in separate activities, an emphasis on print form (letters; sounds in words) and early form-meaning correspondences (letter knowledge and phonological awareness are related to meaning at the word level). Developmental progressions for various preliteracy skills are provided in this section. Finally, formal and informal methods of assessing all of the domains of preliteracy development are discussed. Approaches to teaching or intervention are interspersed throughout the article as the development and nature of numerous preliteracy subskills are discussed.