Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

A teacher frequently reads word play books with her students. What skill does this primarily develop?

1. Vocabulary expansion

2. Phonological awareness

3. Comprehension skills

4. Creative writing

The correct answer is: Phonological awareness

Reading word play books with students primarily develops phonological awareness, which involves the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. Word play often includes rhymes, alliteration, and rhythmic patterns that draw attention to the sounds of words. This exposure helps students understand the auditory features of language, aiding in the development of important foundational reading skills such as decoding and word recognition. In contrast, while vocabulary expansion can also be a byproduct of reading such books, the primary focus of word play is on sound patterns rather than the meanings of new words. Comprehension skills involve understanding and interpreting text, which is not the main objective of engaging with word play literature. Similarly, creative writing can be influenced by the playful use of language found in these books, but the primary skill developed through this activity is phonological awareness.