This paper presents a portion of a larger study testing assumptions from Lev Vygotsky's spontaneous private speech theory and the relationship between private speech (overt self-talk) and writing development. Sixteen kindergarten and first-grade children were observed over time in natural classroom settings to note changes in private speech and…

A study was conducted to: (1) gather data which would permit researchers to describe the teaching behaviors and language characteristics of parents during literacy events with their children; (2) analyze these data for positive or negative influences of parents' oral language on their children's participation in the reading/writing activities; and…