Younger and older children were asked to label pictures of nonprototypic, container-like objects in an effort to test Nelson's theory regarding the primacy of the functional core in young children's meaning structures. Contrary to expectations, the older, intermediate age children were influenced more by functional context than were the younger,…

Indicates that story time experiences are a positive factor in successful beginning reading. (FL)

Differing amounts and ordering of pictorial content were compared to determine their effect on learning word-referent relations in a second language. Findings indicated there is an optimal level at which nonverbal context facilitates the process of inferring word meanings in a foreign language. (Author/DS)

Described is a preschool science activity in which students use shell collections. This activity demonstrates how language development and reading readiness skills are interrelated with science. Prereading and reading activities are described involving the students in direct interaction with the shell collection. (DS)

Examines Piagetian theory in relation to (1) the organizational framework of the reader, (2) the linkage of development and reading, (3) the interrelatedness of language processes, and (4) the twin influences of maturation and experience. Notes the value of Piagetian theory in building reading models and examines two "hurdles" it…

Describes the longitudinal emergence of verb inflections as observed in the speech of four American English-speaking children emphasizing occurrence of inflections, their linguistic/non-linguistic contexts, and their conditional use. Discusses results in terms of sentence relations between verbs and other constituents and the semantics of verb…

The performance of first-year primary pupils from Social Priority Schools in a large urban area was compared on ten of the ITPA subtests. Analysis of variance showed significant and substantial differences in the Auditory Vocal Channel and Representational Level of the test, favoring those children with previous nursery experience. (Author)

The development of spoken language is considered from three related aspects: symbolic function, auditory-vocal function and communicative function. Attention is drawn to the implications for education of developmental delay in any of these areas. Some of the danger signals presented in the classroom are mentioned. (Author/KC)

Discusses how single-word usage reflects two stages in child language development. Early words express internal states and share none of the corresponding semantic features of these words in adult language. Later words approximate the use of adult language and share standard semantic features of adult indicative words. (JMF)

Using standard classical conditioning and concept-formation paradigms, research showed that all phones of a phoneme were considered "the same" by linguistically naive speakers. Results also supported the notion of the phoneme as a unit that functions in speech perception. (RL)

The article presents a case study of the educational training program used with a 10-year-old (when first seen) learning disabled boy. The study covers the teaching methods used during a three-year period and includes followup data for over 12 years from the onset of therapy. (PHR)

The use of closed circuit television to teach language and speech to congenitally deaf secondary school children in England is discussed. The equipment enables the staff to record material and add subtitles before showing it to the students. (PHR)

If the beginning spellers are allowed to experiment, their ability will begin to evolve and refine as did their patterns of spoken language. Stages of spelling development and their parallels in oral language development are described and tips on how to foster spelling development are given. (JN)

The development of children's oral language ability, speaking, and listening, is examined in light of recent research and its implications for language arts teachers. (HTH)

Analyses the differences among writing samples by secondary school students in terms of the writer's ability to achieve certain stylistic requirements and to produce a well organized discourse. Relates underachievement to social factors and to educational methods that overemphasize the role of the written language. (MES)