Explain TWO ways that oral language development supports literacy development.
1. Vocabulary development: Oral language development helps children acquire new words, understand their meanings, and use them in their spoken and written language. Through conversations, storytelling, and listening to others speak, children are exposed to a variety of words and their contextual uses, which in turn enriches their vocabulary. A strong vocabulary is essential for reading and writing, as it allows children to comprehend the text they are reading and effectively express their ideas in writing.
2. Phonological awareness development: Oral language development also plays a crucial role in developing phonological awareness, which is the understanding that spoken language is made up of individual sounds (phonemes) that can be manipulated and combined to create words. Activities such as rhyming, clapping out syllables, and identifying beginning and ending sounds in words all help children develop phonological awareness, which is a foundational skill for reading and spelling. By being able to hear and manipulate the sounds of language orally, children are better equipped to decode and encode words when reading and writing.