The intricate process of learning to read relies on acquiring several speech and language-related sub-skills, which starts well before the onset of formal reading instruction. Speech-language pathologists have an important opportunity to facilitate the development of crucial building blocks for literacy from preschool age, through targeting key predictors of long-term reading outcomes such as phonological awareness. This presentation will provide an overview of the speech and language-related sub-skills that serve as fundamental early building blocks for literacy development, and discuss the role of a speech-language pathologist in supporting children’s readiness for learning to read in early childhood. This course will then review emergent literacy skills and early literacy milestones. We will specify important opportunities speech-language pathologists have to target and monitor children’s emergent language and literacy skills within their direct scope of practice.
This course is offered for 0.05 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area, Professional Area