The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of letter identification and word
recognition in early childhood’s reading comprehension. To accomplish this purpose,
first, what is the difference in the ability of letter identification, word recognition, and
reading comprehension among the ages of early childhood? Second, what is the
relationship between early childhood reading comprehension, letter identification, and
word recognition? Third, the effect of letter identification and word recognition on
reading comprehension in early childhood was selected as a research question. Among
the children attending kindergarten and elementary school in Korea, total of 299
children, ages 5 to 103, 6 to 6, and 104 to 7 years old, were tested for letter
identification, word recognition, and reading comprehension, and analyzed by one-way
ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis.
The results of this study were as follows: First, the letter identification, word
recognition, and reading comprehension were significant in early childhood. Second,
there was a significant correlation between early childhood reading comprehension,
letter identification, and word recognition in childhood. Third, although letter
identification and word recognition have a statistically significant effect on reading
comprehension of early childhood, word recognition has a greater effect than letter
identification. Therefore, in order to induce the continuous development of reading
comprehension ability, it is necessary to identify the children in early childhood,
enhancement of word recognition ability through spelling knowledge and of letter
identification through phonetic character discrimination, phonological awareness.