Stephen R. Zubrick|Catherine L. Taylor|Dale B. Christensen
Patterns and Predictors of Language and Literacy Abilities 4-10 Years in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children
Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia|Telethon Kids Institute|University of Western Australia
aims oral language foundation literacy naturally policies practices promote childrens literacy begin early childhood strong focus developing childrens oral language especially children known risk factors low language ability underlying assumption childrens progress along oral literate continuum stable predictable low language ability foretells low literacy ability study investigated patterns predictors childrens oral language literacy abilities 4 6 8 10 years study sample comprised 2316 2792 children first nationally representative longitudinal study australian children lsac six developmental patterns observed stable middlehigh pattern stable low pattern improving pattern declining pattern fluctuating low pattern fluctuating middlehigh pattern children 69 fit stable middlehigh pattern contrast less 1 children fit stable low pattern results challenged view childrens progress along oral literate continuum stable predictable findings multivariate logistic regression used investigate risks low literacy ability 10 years sensitivityspecificity analysis used examine predictive utility multivariate model predictors modelled risk variables lowest level risk reference category multivariate model substantial risks low literacy ability 10 years order descending magnitude low school readiness aboriginal andor torres strait islander status low language ability 8 years moderate risks high temperamental reactivity low language ability 4 years low language ability 6 years following risk factors statistically significant multivariate model low maternal consistency low family income health care card child read home maternal smoking maternal education family structure temperamental persistence socioeconomic area disadvantage results sensitivityspecificity analysis showed wellfitted multivariate model featuring risks substantive magnitude particularly well predicting low literacy ability 10 years