How Does Oral Language Support Children’s Writing? 

KW: how does oral language support children’s writing

Oral language is an amazing human ability that young children develop naturally over time through listening and mimicking the people around them. Children typically learn to speak their native language with hardly any formal instruction. However, when it comes to literacy, formal instruction is crucial to children’s development—even for writing skills! 

One thing that is sometimes overlooked in early literacy development is how oral language skills connect to reading and writing abilities. The ability to speak, manipulate verbal sounds, and understand spoken language plays a significant role in a child’s writing progress. So, how does oral language support children’s writing? More importantly, what do parents and teachers need to know about the link between these two skills in order to support their students’ academic success? 

Speech as the Foundations of Language and Literacy

Oral language encompasses the ability to speak and comprehend spoken words. It involves skills like phonemic awareness, vocabulary, grammar, expression/inflection, sentence structure, and the relevant application of language in social settings. 

Children often begin to develop oral language from infancy, far sooner than when they begin to receive formal education. They go through several noticeable milestones.

1. Babies start making simple sounds (or “cooing”) around 2 months old. Then, they often start babbling various consonant-vowel sounds (“babababa” or “mimimi”) around 4-6 months old.
2. A baby may start saying their first words at 10-14 months old (such as “mama,” “dada,” “ball,” or “hot”).
3. Toddlers around 2 years old begin putting together simple phrases or sentences (for example, “I want that,” “Doggy sit,” or “Mommy bye-bye”).
4. As kids develop, their verbal language skills gradually become more sophisticated. Before the age of five, many English-speaking children can say most speech sounds except for more complex ones like /r/, /ch/, and /th/. 

All of these subtle yet powerful language milestones help lay the foundation for a child’s literacy development. Strong oral language abilities can contribute to strong reading and writing skills. 

How Speaking Translates to Early Writing Skills

Transitioning from speaking to early writing and reading is a major milestone in a child’s life. Language is the bridge that connects spoken words to words in print, whether in books or written on paper. This connection is crucial for developing writing skills. 

Vocabulary and Expression 

A rich vocabulary is important if children are to become effective writers. Kids who are exposed to a wide variety of words in everyday conversations are often better prepared to use words in writing. Storytelling and verbal dialogue can enhance children’s ability to express ideas coherently and creatively. 

Encourage your child’s vocabulary development by talking about a wide variety of topics. Use new words with them in context and answer their questions about unfamiliar words. You can also follow the common phrase, “Talk, Read, Sing!” that is a recommended motto for early language and vocabulary development. Make sure you engage in each of these things every day with your child for meaningful (and fun) vocab support.

Sentence Structure and Grammar

The grammar and syntax children use when speaking form the basis for how they write words and sentences. When kids hear and speak correct grammar verbally, they’re more likely to carry over these rules and practices when writing. 

Support children’s grammar for speaking and writing by modeling proper word pronunciations and grammatically correct sentences in conversations. Gently correct your child’s grammatical errors when they reach the age of more sophisticated speech. Additionally, you can play word games that focus on sentence construction.

Printing and Spelling

Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and use the different sounds in spoken language. It plays a foundational role in learning to read and write. Phonological awareness is how people identify rhymes, syllabicate, differentiate specific phonemes, and emphasize spoken words when speaking. 

Segmentation is an important phonological skill related to spelling. It involves breaking a word into its individual sounds. Then children can connect the sounds to their associated letters to learn to spell. 

Help your child strengthen their phonological awareness skills and spelling skills so they can accurately manipulate and connect language sounds with writing. 

Learning and Organizing Information

Writing coherently is a way to organize ideas and stories. Children must have some level of knowledge of how ideas are communicated in speech before implementing them into writing. Help your students learn to sequence events, thoughts, expressions, and connections logically so they can develop strong organization in their writing.

Encourage children to retell stories from beginning to end, using their own words. Talk about the sequence of events in daily activities and see if your child can make meaningful connections between pieces of information.  

How Can Parents and Teachers Support Verbal and Written Language Development? 

There are many ways to equip children to become strong, literate learners. It starts with strong verbal language practice and becomes more robust with explicit phonics instruction. 

To cover the basics, here are some tips:

• Have meaningful conversations with your child. Make a point to ask open-ended questions, encourage your child to express his or her thoughts, and get inquisitive about what your child means if something is unclear. 
• Read aloud with your child. When kids are exposed to a literacy-rich environment, they develop positive attitudes toward reading and writing. Make reading time fun, enjoyable, and emotionally positive, letting your child be an active participant in read-alouds.
• Model good listening skills. Show your child what it looks like to pay attention when others are speaking and how to practice active listening. 
• Play phonics games together. Make phonics practice fun with some easy and simple at-home games. Phonics instruction supports transcription skills like spelling, which makes writing possible.
• Practice oral rehearsal. Once your child begins practicing writing, encourage them to read their own writing. This helps kids catch any errors they made and reinforces the connection between reading and writing.

If your child is significantly struggling with oral language or with writing, one of the best ways you can support them is by seeking guidance from a professional. Speech, reading, or writing difficulties can sometimes be a sign of learning disorders that need to be addressed.

Phonics.org: Helping Kids Learn to Read and Write 

The special link between oral language and literacy shouldn’t be underestimated. When children are equipped with effective spoken language skills, they receive a solid foundation for becoming proficient readers, writers, and students for life. 

Helping kids develop their language and literacy skills requires time, patience, engagement, and proven instructional strategies. Whether your child is in school or learning the very first phonics concepts at home, it’s important to be intentional about their literacy development every day. 

Interested in learning how to give your child the best phonics education possible? Follow Phonics.org where we share expert-written program reviews, educational resources, and fun activities for academic success!