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Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary development involves the acquisition of new words and their meanings, as well as the ability to use them correctly in context. This includes learning word meanings, synonyms and antonyms, using context clues, and understanding morphology (prefixes, suffixes, root words).
Importance for Literacy Development:
A robust vocabulary is critical for reading comprehension and overall language development. It allows children to understand and convey complex ideas, facilitating better communication and academic performance.
Children with limited vocabulary may struggle to understand texts and express themselves clearly. This can impede their reading comprehension and writing skills, affecting their overall academic success especially as the academic demand increases across the curriculum.
Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach supports vocabulary development through explicit teaching of word meanings, contextual usage, and morphology. Research by Beck et al. (2002) emphasizes the importance of direct vocabulary instruction. Direct instruction in vocabulary has been shown to significantly improve students’ ability to understand and use new words, leading to better reading comprehension and academic performance.
Research Reference
Beck, I.L., McKeown, M.G., & Kucan, L. (2002). “Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction.” Guilford Press.
