Children with spoken language problems often struggle with which skill?

Children with spoken language problems often encounter difficulties in learning to read and write because both skills are intrinsically linked to their ability to process and produce spoken language. Language is foundational for reading, as children need to understand the sounds of speech, recognize vocabulary, and grasp grammatical structures to decode written text effectively. When children struggle with spoken language, they may have trouble with phonemic awareness, which is crucial for recognizing words and sounds in reading, as well as with expressive language skills that affect their ability to write coherently.

In addition, reading comprehension relies heavily on language skills. If children cannot form sentences or understand language well, they may struggle to make sense of the material they read. Writing, similarly, requires a command of language structures, vocabulary, and the ability to articulate thoughts, which can be challenging for those with spoken language difficulties. Therefore, difficulties in spoken language can significantly impact a child's ability to learn these critical literacy skills.