Recent evidence suggests that the ability to segment words into phonemes is significantly
related to reading success, and that training in phoneme segmentation
appears to have a positive influence on beginning reading. In this study, we evaluated
the effect on reading readiness of phoneme segmentation training in kindergarten.
Ninety nonreaders with PPVT-R standard scores of 78 or higher were
randomly selected from six kindergarten classrooms and assigned to one of three
treatment conditions: a) phoneme segmentation group; b) language activities group
(control group I); and c) no intervention (control group II). The phoneme segmentation
group received seven weeks of instruction in segmentation and in letter
names and sounds. Also for seven weeks, the language activities group received the
identical instruction in letter names and sounds and additional language activities.
Prior to the intervention, the three groups did not differ in age, sex, race, PPVT-R
phoneme segmentation, letter name and letter sound knowledge, or reading ability.
After the intervention, the phoneme segmentation group outperformed both control
groups on phoneme segmentation and reading measures. This study provides additional
strong support for including phoneme segmentation training in the kindergarten
curriculum. Clinical suggestions for teachers are included.