A new study of children aged 17 months to 7 years has brought some insight into the learning of young children. Children vary in their early language and reading skills in the first few years of school. This study shows that children's ability to learn relations between rather abstract speech sounds, can predict children's language and early reading development. The study shows that the way that children are learning before the age of two is affecting their learning in school more than five years later. This is important to understand the best ways to support the learning development of young children.

The research team is primarily based at Lancaster University and includes Professor Padraic Monaghan, Distinguished Professor Kate Cain and Dr Katie Alcock. This study was part of longitudinal research following 70 children throughout the project and testing them at various phases. Using the same children throughout the study enabled the team to look at their particular skills and abilities and how they develop over the first critical years of life.

Language skills when children enter school are related to their general ability to learn relations between speech sounds, and these language skills, in turn, have a profound impact on learning to read. Learning to read is complex and takes a long time for children to master. Therefore, knowing what contributes to children learning those skills, is vital to be able to support children effectively in their early schooling.

It is known that children's language skills in the first few years of life are important and correlate to how children will learn throughout school. There are also significant longer-term life outcomes that can be affected by these skills. This research project has enabled the team to uncover many of the ways in which early language develops and how caregivers and preschool staff can help to support children's early learning. 

Professor Padraic Monaghan said: “This work is the culmination of a project where we followed children's language development over the first seven years of their life. It has shown us fascinating insights into how very early learning skills have a long-term impact on children's language skills and learning to read.”

Distinguished Professor Kate Cain said: “The link between children’s oral language skills in preschool and learning to read is well established. This research sheds light on how language learning during the first two years of life affects this connection."