Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What does the critical stage of language development between birth and early elementary years help prepare children for?

1. Advanced writing skills

2. Conventional literacy skills

3. Public speaking abilities

4. Mathematical reasoning

The correct answer is: Conventional literacy skills

The critical stage of language development that occurs between birth and the early elementary years is foundational for conventional literacy skills. During this period, children are exposed to a rich language environment where they develop listening and speaking abilities, which are crucial for understanding written language later on. This stage involves the acquisition of vocabulary, the understanding of grammar and syntax, and the ability to comprehend and produce spoken language. As children engage with language through conversation, storytelling, and reading activities, they build the necessary skills such as phonological awareness, comprehension, and the ability to decode written text. These skills are essential for reading and writing, which are core components of literacy. Mastery in these areas enables children to effectively communicate and understand information, which is the essence of conventional literacy skills. While advanced writing skills, public speaking abilities, and mathematical reasoning are important, they typically rely on the foundational literacy skills developed during this early linguistic stage. Children must first attain conventional literacy before progressing to these higher-order abilities. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the crucial role that language development plays in preparing children for reading and writing, which are pivotal elements of conventional literacy.