What role does oral language play in learning for children with special needs?

Oral language plays a vital role in the learning process for children with special needs, particularly in enhancing their phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words, and it is foundational for developing reading skills. When children can hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in language through oral communication, they are better equipped to understand how sounds correspond to letters and words, which is essential for literacy development.

Engaging in conversations, storytelling, and listening activities helps children with special needs strengthen these critical auditory skills. This support aids in building their language proficiency, which can influence their overall academic success. While vocabulary building is important, the key focus here is on phonemic awareness, as it directly impacts children's ability to decode and comprehend texts, leading to effective reading skills. The central role of oral language in developing these skills makes it crucial in the learning journey of children with special needs.