Reading Readiness at the K-1 Level: Do Song Lyrics Aid in Word or Letter Recognition? by Kathy Bailey

It is expected that children have an overwhelming desire to succeed and to do well in school. However, many children fall beneath the standards of normal readiness expectations in regards to reading and literacy. Exploring the use of song text in literacy instruction may answer the following questions: Do the children prefer singing activities to traditional literacy learning? Does the use of text in music and chants lead students to desire reading readiness and alphabet recognition activities? Does the implementation of songs or chants, both familiar and new, encourage children to use them outside of the literacy block? Will children be observed using songs or word play while exploring reading-related activities on their own? The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of song lyrics, jump rope jingles, and rhymes would aid in reading readiness, letter recognition, and letter sounds. Throughout the course of this study, key terms were used that may or may not be familiar. These terms are defined to enable any reader to have a clearer understanding of the subject matter. Literacy: The ability to read and write. Lyrics: The words to a song. Reading readiness: Skills and abilities which one acquires to prepare them for reading and writing activities. The focus for this study was not centered on children with learning disabilities or English learners. The study included children in kindergarten and first grade who were between the ages of five and seven or eight years old. The study took place in a private, Seventh-day Adventist Christian school in which the group size consisted of approximately ten students