American journal of speech-language pathology
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Am J Speech Lang Pathol · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialFacilitating emergent literacy: efficacy of a model that partners speech-language pathologists and educators.
This study examined the efficacy of a professional development program for early childhood educators that facilitated emergent literacy skills in preschoolers. The program, led by a speech-language pathologist, focused on teaching alphabet knowledge, print concepts, sound awareness, and decontextualized oral language within naturally occurring classroom interactions. ⋯ These findings suggest that professional development provided by a speech-language pathologist can yield short-term changes in the facilitation of emergent literacy skills in early childhood settings. Future research is needed to determine the impact of this program on the children's long-term development of conventional literacy skills.