Entry #3

I feel there is a strong link between oral language and the reading process. Just as a child progresses through learning stages when speaking, a learner also progresses through stages when reading.  Children who are surrounded by rich, complex conversations have an advantage in their vocabulary development.  It is vital for parents to speak with their children and expose them to language before they enter school.  Parents who talk with their children encourage vocabulary development and help build background knowledge, which can translate into strong reading comprehension skills.  Students who have this early exposure will have a higher readiness level than those who are not given this exposure to language.

Children can listen and understand at a higher language level than they can read; so hearing oral language (whether through read aloud or conversation) provides the opportunity to access ideas which are more complex and students are exposed to vocabulary which is not part of their everyday use.  This then helps students comprehend better when independently reading.

Reading is a process of thinking and interpreting so it is challenging for children to attach meaning to a printed symbol when they do not have adequate oral language background.  As children learn new words and how to use them, they strengthen their background knowledge, which helps to strengthen their reading comprehension.