How can language development impact literacy?
One of the most common questions parents ask me is, “Will my child’s speech and language delay impact their reading and writing?”, and the answer is: It might. Research consistently shows that for many children with early speech and language difficulties, long-term effects on literacy development are apparent. Here are just a couple of examples:
Aram et al. (1984) and King et al. (1982) found that children with early language impairments often experience persistent challenges in language, reading, and academic success, and King et al. (1982) found this occurred approximately 50% of the time.
Schuele (2004), in a literature review, found that children with speech and language impairments are at a greater risk for reading disabilities, such as difficulties with decoding and comprehension. Even children with phonological disorders—who primarily struggle with speech sound production—are more likely to face spelling difficulties, although they may not present with reading difficulties.
There are many aspects of language development that contribute to literacy skills – let’s dive into them.
1. Phonological Awareness, Phonemic Awareness, and Decoding
Phonological awareness is a child’s ability to recognize and manipulate different parts of words in spoken language. This includes skills like rhyming and segmenting words into syllables. Phonemic awareness is a child’s ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in words. Without strong phonological awareness, learning to decode (or sound out words), spell, and read fluently can be extremely challenging.
2. Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension
A child’s vocabulary size is closely linked to reading comprehension. If a child has a limited vocabulary, they may struggle to understand what they are reading, even if they can decode words correctly. Children with early language impairments often have difficulty learning new words, understanding how words relate to one another, and understanding that context can impact word meaning. For example, a child with a language delay might struggle with words that have multiple meanings (e.g., "bat" as an animal vs. "bat" used in baseball), which can lead to confusion when reading.
3. Grammar and Sentence Structure
Grammar plays a significant role in reading and writing. Children with difficulties using correct verb tenses, plurals, or sentence structures may struggle to comprehend complex sentences in books. This may look like difficulty understanding the meaning of the story altogether, or difficulty understanding the sequence of events in a story. This can make reading comprehension and written expression particularly challenging.
4. Narrative Skills and Storytelling
Narrative skills refer to a child's ability to tell stories, describe events, and organize thoughts logically, which are essential skills for reading comprehension and writing. Children who have difficulty sequencing events or using appropriate transition words may find it challenging to follow a story's plot or express their ideas in writing. Children with language impairments often struggle with storytelling, which can make it harder for them to write essays, summarize books, and engage in classroom discussions.
5. Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension
Listening comprehension and reading comprehension are closely linked. If a child has difficulty understanding spoken language, they are likely to experience the same struggles when reading. Children with receptive language impairments, or an impairment in how the child understands spoken language, may struggle to follow classroom discussions, answer questions about a story, or grasp a variety of concepts from their reading assignments.
Supporting Language and Literacy Development
Early intervention can make a significant difference. Working on language development before reading instruction begins can help set up a child for literacy success. But that doesn’t mean it’s ever too late – speech therapy can still provide valuable support, even if your child is already experiencing difficulties with reading and writing. Addressing challenges at any stage can strengthen their foundation for literacy growth, improve confidence, and make learning more accessible.
Here are a few strategies you can use to support language and literacy growth at home:
Encourage Phonological Awareness Activities – Play rhyming games, clap out syllables, and practice identifying beginning and ending sounds in words.
Expand Vocabulary – Read books together, talk about new words, and model language through natural conversation.
Support Narrative Skills – Ask your child to retell stories or describe their day. Try using sequencing words like "first," "next," and "finally."
Focus on Grammar and Sentence Structure – Model correct grammar during conversation. If you notice your child using incorrect grammar, gently model correct grammar in a natural way during conversation without putting pressure on your child to repeat it.
Make Reading a Daily Routine – Read aloud daily, engage in discussions about books, and encourage children to ask and answer questions about what they read.
Language development really lays the foundation for literacy success. When children struggle with language, their ability to read, write, and understand academic material can be impacted. By identifying speech and language difficulties early and providing targeted support, we can help children develop strong literacy skills that will help them throughout their lives.
At Bellflower Speech, Language, and Literacy, we help children develop strong communication and reading skills. Hillary is trained in Lively Letters, a proven structured literacy approach to teaching critical foundational reading skills. She also uses hands-on learning and supports skills like memory and focus, which can be challenging for kids with dyslexia. We know every child learns differently, so each session is tailored to their needs. If you’re worried about your child’s speech, language, or reading, reach out—we’re here to help!
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Resources
Aram, DM. Preschoolers with Language Disorders: 10 Years Later. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 1984; 27(2):232-244. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.2702.244.
King RR. In retrospect: A fifteen-year follow-up report of speech-language-disordered children. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 1982;13(1):24–32.
Schuele, CM. The Impact of Developmental Speech and Language Impairments on the Acquisition of Literacy Skills. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Review. 2024; 10:176-183.