- By Eden
- Salley
Words That Work: How Verbal Short-Term Memory Opens Doors to Growth in Speech and Literacy
This article is part of our weekly series Executive Function Tips for Families
Previously, there was a lack of insight into the relationship between memory and language skills in young children. In a recent study, a team of researchers aimed to shed light on this important aspect of development. This article describes the findings of the study, ”Verbal Short-Term Memory Underlies Typical Development of “Thought Organization” Measured as Speech Connectedness’ Mota et. al, Mind, Brain, and Education, 14(1), 51-60. The study explored the intricate relationship between speech connectedness, memory, and reading fluency in typically developing children.
How is This Related to Executive Function?
Executive Function (EF) is the set of brain skills that includes working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These mental processes help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. They really are brain skills for life! This article is related to EF because short-term memory (which this study analyzed) is a key EF skill that develops in early childhood.
Speech is Connected to Short-term Memory
This study found that children with more robust verbal short-term memory skills were better equipped to produce coherent and connected narratives. This underscores the importance of memory in the context of language development. Speech connectedness, which refers to the coherence and flow of spoken language, plays an important role in our understanding of how children’s cognitive abilities evolve, especially in the realm of literacy acquisition. This study discovered a substantial link between speech connectedness and short-term memory.
And Reading Ability, Too
The study also found a relationship between speech connectedness and reading fluency. In the second grade, children who demonstrated higher levels of speech connectedness tended to exhibit improved reading fluency. However, this link dissipated as children transitioned into the third grade, suggesting that as children acquire reading skills, the influence of speech connectedness on reading fluency may wane.
How You Can Help Your Child Build Speech Skills
There are lots of things you can do to help improve your child’s speech skills at home. You may be doing a lot of them already! Review these tips and think about what works for you and your family.
Encourage Storytelling:
Encouraging children to participate in storytelling activities can significantly boost their language skills and memory. Storytelling requires the child to connect ideas and thoughts into a coherent narrative, thereby improving their speech connectedness. For example, you might encourage your child to retell their favorite story in their own words.
Practice Reading:
The correlation between speech connectedness and reading fluency suggests that consistent reading practice can be instrumental in enhancing both skills. Engaging children in regular reading sessions can contribute to improved reading fluency and, indirectly, speech connectedness. For younger children, this can involve rereading books they are familiar with or books that they find simple and easy to understand.
Monitor Memory Skills:
Incorporating simple memory exercises and games into daily routines can be a fun and effective way to enhance your child’s memory capabilities. For example, you might ask your child to recall a simple list of things that you want to get at the grocery store during a shopping trip. Alternatively, encourage your child to remember simple steps and instructions. Try making something with them, following a recipe, and ask them to recall the steps as you go.
The Bottom Line:
This study illuminates the intricate web of connections between speech connectedness, memory, and reading fluency in typically developing children. While speech connectedness and memory are closely intertwined, their impact on reading fluency evolves as children progress through their academic journey. Caregivers should always remember that these skills develop at different paces for every child. If you’re a parent or caregiver who wants to play a role in nurturing a child’s cognitive development, the tips in this article can provide you with ideas for ways to nurture growth in speech and literacy.
