Reading, Writing, and Speech: How They’re All Connected
Most people think of speech as one thing and reading and writing as something completely separate — something schools teach later. But research tells us these skills are deeply linked, right from the very beginning.
It all starts with talking
Long before a child picks up a book, they are building the foundations of literacy through everyday conversation. Research consistently shows that the more children know about spoken language, the better equipped they are to succeed in reading and writing (Burns et al., 1999; Mehta et al., 2005).
Think of it this way: reading and writing float on a sea of talk. The words a child hears, says, and understands in their early years become the building blocks for everything that follows in school.
The missing link — speech sounds
One of the most important connections between speech and reading is something called phonological awareness — the ability to notice and play with the sounds in words. Think rhyming, clapping syllables, or knowing that “cat” starts with a /k/ sound.
Phonological awareness is critical for learning to read in any alphabetic writing system — and difficulty with it is one of the strongest predictors of poor reading and spelling development. In fact, at least 80% of all poor readers show a weakness in phonological awareness and/or phonological memory (Moats & Tolman, 2009).
This is why a child who struggles to pronounce certain sounds, or who finds it hard to tell words apart, may also find reading and spelling harder down the track.
What does this mean for my child?
Children who have difficulties with listening and speaking tend to have difficulty learning to read and write (National Early Literacy Panel, 2010). But the flip side is also true — strong early language skills give children a real head start in the classroom.
Reading with children from birth to five years is probably the single most important thing families can do to support their child’s future ability to read and write (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute).
And if your child is getting support from a speech pathologist for their speech or language, that work is directly supporting their literacy too — not just their talking.
The Takeaway
Speech, reading, and writing aren’t three separate skills. They’re one connected system, built over time. When we support a child’s communication early, we’re not just helping them chat — we’re helping them learn to read, write, and thrive at school.
If you have questions about your child’s speech or language development, we’d love to help.
Blog Written by Joy James – Speech Pathologist
References
- Burns, M. S., Griffin, P., & Snow, C. E. (1999). Starting out right: A guide to promoting children’s reading success. National Academy Press.
- Moats, L., & Tolman, C. (2009). Language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling (LETRS). Sopris West.
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. (n.d.). Oral language and literacy. MCRI.
- National Early Literacy Panel. (2010). Developing early literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel. National Institute for Literacy.
ALL Images Courtesy of FREEP!K
If you’d like to find out more about One Central Health, give us a call today on (08) 9344 1318.