Join the Developmental Psychology area for a talk by Shayne Piasta (The Ohio State University)!
Title: Evidence-Based Practices for Optimizing Phonological Awareness Instruction (OPAL)
Abstract: Decades of basic research have established phonemic awareness as causally related to reading and spelling (Ehri et al., 2001; Castles et al., 2018) as well as a developmental progression from phonological sensitivity (i.e., larger units) to phonemic awareness (Anthony et al., 2003; Justi et al., 2021). Yet, we have more to learn about how best to support phonological awareness during early literacy instruction. In this presentation, I will (a) provide background information on phonological awareness development and instruction, (b) discuss a current scholarly debate concerning the content, timing, and goals of phonological awareness instruction in early childhood and (b) describe Project OPAL, in which we are using longitudinal randomized controlled trials in prekindergarten and kindergarten to directly test premises of this debate. I will share the rationale, goals, and methodology of Project OPAL. Findings will ultimately provide evidence as to how to best optimize phonological awareness instruction for young children, in terms of how and when to most efficiently and effectively intervene and whether and how individual differences among children may affect such instructional decisions.
About Shayne Piasta: Dr. Shayne B. Piasta is Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Faculty Associate at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, and Director of the Early Literacy and Learning Lab (EL3) at The Ohio State University. With expertise in early and emergent literacy development, her research focuses on empirical validation of educational practices to support literacy learning. Much of her research involves experimental evaluation of professional development, educational programs, and specific practices aimed at increasing children’s language and literacy outcomes, along with examination of teacher, classroom, and other factors associated with children’s language and literacy gains. Dr. Piasta’s research program has been funded by the U.S. Institute of Education Sciences, National Institutes of Health, and the BETHA Endowment.
The Developmental Seminar Series area features both internal and external speakers who are experts in a wide range of topics including the development of cognition, perception, learning, emotional processing, and social relationships.
For more information, contact Developmental Psychology area coordinator Zeynep Saygin.