TO TEST THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE READING PROCESS IS A NATURAL EMERGENCE OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, A HYPOTHETICAL STRUCTURE WAS DEVISED TO RECAPITULATE THE PROCESS THAT IT IS ASSUMED THE CHILD GOES THROUGH. EACH OF 25 PRINTED WORD SYMBOLS WAS PRESENTED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER--(1) A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SYMBOL IN ITS NATURAL SETTING, (2) A DRAWING OF THE…

RECENT RESEARCH ON THE DISCRIMINATION PROCESS INDICATES THAT ERRORLESS LEARNING CAN OCCUR IF STIMULI ARE CAREFULLY PROGRAMED SO THAT THEY ARE DISSIMILAR AND GRADUALLY BECOME MORE SIMILAR AS TRAINING PROCEEDS. TO ASSESS THIS APPROACH IN TEACHING THE LOWER- CASE LETTER B AND D WITH KINDERGARTEN SUBJECTS, TWO SETS OF STIMILI CONSTITUTED THE FIRST…

Twenty-four matched pairs of culturally deprived first grade children were divided into an experimental and control group to investigate the effect of special reading instruction on the reading ability of these children. The teacher who administered this special instruction was considered very competent, and the instructional content, although not…

In order to achieve literacy, children must have mastered the decoding and encoding processes of the language of instruction. Usually this has been accomplished long before the child enters school. However, if the child's language is atypical for any reason, such as cultural or linguistic factors, then the acquisition of literacy requires a…

This study was initiated both to follow up an earlier investigation and to gather additional descriptive data regarding the relationship between the Prereading Skills Program and the Word Attack area of the "Wisconsin Design." Four Wisconsin schools participated. In this study, kindergarten students who had completed one year of…

The validity of introducing reading on the preschool level is the premise behind this study. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of the Categorical Sound System (CSS) developed by the author, as a highly structured linguistic-based readiness and beginning reading program, on kindergarten children from underprivileged and privileged…

In learning the skills of reading and writing, it seems most probable that the child has to become aware of certain aspects of spoken language which he has not previously perceived. Although the child is capable of saying and hearing words and can easily tell them apart from other words, to spell them phonically he must understand the concept of…

This monograph reviews research into the desirability and possibility of applying the readiness concept to all stages of growth in reading and at all levels of maturation in the elementary school. Chapters include "Readiness for Reading," which analyzes physiological, intellectual, emotional, social, and experiential factors involved in…

This paper presents the initial efforts in the development of the Prediction with Diagnostic Qualities (PDQ) instrument. The contents include: "Evidence Relating to Correlational Items," which discusses the concepts of correlation, statistical significance, and the more commonly used criteria or tests used for prediction and…

The relationship between paradigmatic and syntagmatic oral associates and reading readiness test scores was investigated. Paradigmatic associates were defined as responses demonstrating superordinate, coordinate, contrast, or part-whole relationships, and syntagmatic associates were defined as any other responses. Subjects were 52 first graders…

There are many pros and cons to the recent trend of early reading. The opponents fear that too much emphasis on early reading may lead to a less rounded development of the child; they agree on providing the child with richer and more varied experiences to insure reading readiness. The advocates believe that today's children have already had more…

The Reading Improvement Services Everywhere (RISE) project was launched by the National PTA so that PTA's throughout the nation could participate in the federally initiated Right-to-Read effort. It is felt that the parents are responsible to see that the child's learning motivation and readiness are well developed. Project RISE focuses on what can…

This working paper presents the background, justification, and development plan for a kindergarten program to identify and correct deficits in prereading skills. The program provides for individual differences in: (a) patterns of skill deficits, (b) rates of learning, and (c) degrees of assistance required. It is intended for optimal use in the…

The language experience approach to teaching beginning reading uses a child's own language and experiences as the basis for the first reading material or lessons. The approach integrates the language arts skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The steps suggested for a teacher to follow in utilizing this approach are: (1) oral…

Research shows that kindergarten children can and do learn to read, but many questions about early instruction remain unanswered. (MKM)