Rapid naming contributions to reading and writing acquisition of European Portuguese

This study analyzed the relation and the specific influence of rapid naming (RN) on different reading (decoding accuracy and reading fluency) and writing components (spelling accuracy and fluency in composition) of European Portuguese. Moreover, it also compares the influence of Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) tests (colors, digits) and of a Rapid Alternating Stimulus (RAS) test (shapes and colors). In a sample composed by normally achieving children, 70 in the first grade and 69 in the second grade, the results show that, when phonemic awareness is controlled, RN is a significant concurrent predictor of reading and writing performance. Its impact occurs mainly on reading fluency and is carried out predominantly by the RAN digit test. Nevertheless, the RAN color test and the RAS shape and color test also significantly predicted reading and writing performance. The results also indicate that RN has less impact on writing than on reading, and that, when compared with phonemic awareness, it is associated with distinct written language components. When combined, the data obtained are consistent with the orthographic characteristics of European Portuguese.