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Preschool children's explorations of letters in their own names

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Susan Kidd Villaume  and
Lavisa Cam Wilson
Susan Kidd Villaume*
Affiliation:
Auburn University
Lavisa Cam Wilson
Affiliation:
Auburn University
*
LaVisa Cam Wilson, 5040 Haley Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
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Abstract

Preschool children's early understanding of letters was explored using literacy events focusing on name. Five tasks were designed to elicit information about children's conceptualizations of letters in their own names. Responses were analyzed descriptively to determine general patterns. Children were then clustered into strategy groups. These groups provided a basis for a developmental description. Children's own names proved to be a unique source for creating and testing hypotheses concerning letters due to frequent exposure to both the printed script and the oral script (the spelling of name). This exploration was marked by several major transitions: a movement from a unidimensional conceptualization of letters to a multidimensional conceptualization; a movement from general principles to an assimilation of specific knowledge regarding the principles; and a movement from independent explorations of the printed and oral scripts to integration of the two scripts.

Type
Articles
Information
Applied Psycholinguistics , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , September 1989 , pp. 283 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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References

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