In a study published by scientists at Haskins Laboratories, a Yale affiliate, we find that “learning to talk also changes the way speech sounds are heard.” It is hoped that the findings from this study may impact the improvement of speech disorders. “As a child learns to talk, or an adult learns a new language,” Dr. Ostry, a senior scientist, explains, “a growing mastery of oral fluency is matched with the ability to distinguish different speech sounds.”

Using a speech learning robotic device, speech was simulated. Evidence from this study “showed that speech motor learning altered speech sounds.” Future studies are needed but this study can impact children, adults with speech disorders as well as stroke and Parkinson’s disease patients.

Go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102172441.htm. You will find a picture of the speech learning robotic device. Interesting and exciting times.

You have noticed that I have been writing many of my blogs about the National Early Literacy Panel report, Developing Early Literacy, (Shanahan, et.al). My earlier blogs have discussed the most important predictors of literacy achievement. Today, I am reporting on moderate predictors.

Five early literacy skills were also moderately, correlated with at least one measure of later literacy achievement but DID NOT maintain this predictive power... (page 4)

1. concepts about print: knowledge of print conventions (e.g., left-right, front-back) and concepts (book cover, author, text)
2. print knowledge: a combination of elements of Alphabet Knowledge, concepts about print, and early decoding
3. reading readiness: usually a combination of Alphabet Knowledge, concepts of print, vocabulary, memory and phonological awareness
4. oral language: the ability to produce or comprehend spoken language, including vocabulary and grammar
5. visual processing: the ability to match or discriminate visually presented symbols.

Also, children’s early phonological awareness ---that is, their ability to distinguish among sounds within auditory language—was found to be an important predictor of later literacy achievement, expanding on earlier National Reading Panel findings.

This information is very important. We must share with our early childhood friends and colleagues. Please, please spread the word. As our nation focuses on the possibility of expanding access for young children to prekindergarten, don’t we want good solid research implemented in those programs?