Raising Readers: Why Language Development and Literacy Go Hand in Hand
It’s no secret that reading is one of the most powerful tools for learning, but what many families don’t realize is just how connected reading is to language development. In fact, the foundations for strong literacy skills start long before a child picks up their first chapter book.
At Sound Speech & Hearing Clinic, we’re passionate about helping children build strong communication skills, from talking and listening to reading and writing. These abilities are deeply interwoven, and when one area struggles, the others are often affected.
📚 What Does Language Have to Do with Reading?
Reading is more than just decoding letters and sounding out words. It relies on:
Vocabulary knowledge
Grammar and sentence structure
Storytelling and sequencing skills
Listening comprehension
If a child has difficulty understanding spoken language, following directions, or expressing their ideas clearly, they may also struggle to:
Understand what they read
Write complete and logical sentences
Follow along in class discussions
Grasp new vocabulary and concepts
That’s why many of our speech-language evaluations include components that look at pre-literacy and academic readiness.
🧠 Language-Literacy Red Flags
You might consider a speech-language evaluation if your child:
Has trouble retelling stories
Struggles to rhyme or break words into sounds
Avoids reading or says “it’s too hard”
Can’t follow multi-step directions or recall what was read aloud
Uses very short or grammatically incorrect sentences
Even children who are bright and verbal can experience gaps in language processing that affect their ability to thrive in the classroom.
🏡 What You Can Do at Home
Building reading skills doesn’t have to mean flashcards or frustration! Try these playful ways to support your child’s development:
Talk about stories you read together: “What happened? What might happen next?”
Play with rhymes or alliteration (Dr. Seuss books are great for this!)
Explore wordless picture books, prompting your child to narrate the story
Describe daily routines out loud using sequence words (“First, we brush teeth… then…”)
You can also take part in fun, community-based programs like SFPL’s Summer Stride to turn reading into a daily habit…with rewards!
✨ Language Support is Literacy Support
If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or communication, it’s never too early, or too late, to get support. Our team offers evaluations and therapy designed to build the underlying language skills that fuel strong readers and confident learners.
Let’s help your child not only find their voice, but fall in love with stories, too.
