Children Use Vowels to Help Them Spell Consonants
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| Title: | Children Use Vowels to Help Them Spell Consonants |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Hayes, Heather, Treiman, Rebecca, Kessler, Brett |
| Source: | Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. May 2006 94(1):27-42. |
| Availability: | Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com. |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2006 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Evaluative |
| Education Level: | Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 5 Higher Education |
| Descriptors: | Children, Phonemes, Syllables, Grade 2, Pronunciation, Context Effect, Grade 3, Grade 5, College Students, English, Spelling, Vocabulary, Age Differences, Vowels |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jecp.2005.11.001 |
| ISSN: | 0022-0965 |
| Abstract: | English spelling is highly inconsistent in terms of simple sound-to-spelling correspondences but is more consistent when context is taken into account. For example, the choice between "ch" and "tch" is determined by the preceding vowel ("coach," "roach" vs. "catch," "hatch"). We investigated children's sensitivity to vowel context when spelling consonants in monosyllabic nonwords. Second graders (7-year-olds) tended to use vowel context correctly when spelling word-final consonants (codas). This use of context was progressively stronger for third and fifth graders as well as for college students. The increase is not due to differences in vocabulary because the contextual patterns are similar in reading materials targeted at all four age groups. Vowel letters (graphotactics) had a stronger influence than did vowel pronunciation. Children also used vowel context when spelling word-initial consonants (onsets); this effect was as strong for second graders as for adults. Thus, novice spellers take advantage of graphotactic information. |
| Abstractor: | Author |
| Entry Date: | 2006 |
| Accession Number: | EJ737794 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | English spelling is highly inconsistent in terms of simple sound-to-spelling correspondences but is more consistent when context is taken into account. For example, the choice between "ch" and "tch" is determined by the preceding vowel ("coach," "roach" vs. "catch," "hatch"). We investigated children's sensitivity to vowel context when spelling consonants in monosyllabic nonwords. Second graders (7-year-olds) tended to use vowel context correctly when spelling word-final consonants (codas). This use of context was progressively stronger for third and fifth graders as well as for college students. The increase is not due to differences in vocabulary because the contextual patterns are similar in reading materials targeted at all four age groups. Vowel letters (graphotactics) had a stronger influence than did vowel pronunciation. Children also used vowel context when spelling word-initial consonants (onsets); this effect was as strong for second graders as for adults. Thus, novice spellers take advantage of graphotactic information. |
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| ISSN: | 0022-0965 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jecp.2005.11.001 |
