Longitudinal twin study of early reading development in three countries: Preliminary results |
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| Authors: | Brian Byrne Cara Delaland Ruth Fielding-Barnsley Peter Quain Stefan Samuelsson Torleiv Høien Robin Corley John C DeFries Sally Wadsworth Erik Willcutt Richard K Olson |
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| Institution: | (1) University of New England, Australia;(2) Stavanger College, Norway;(3) University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado |
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| Abstract: | We have initiated parallel longitudinal studies in Australia (Byrne, PI), the United States (Olson, PI), and Norway (Samuelsson,
PI) of identical and fraternal twins who are being tested in preschool for prereading skills, and in kindergarten, first grade,
and second grade for the development of early reading, spelling, and related cognitive skills. Comparisons of the similarities
of identical and fraternal twins will reveal the relative influence of genetic, shared family environment, and nonshared environment
on individual differences at and across different stages of development. Family and twin-specific environmental information
is also being directly assessed through parent questionnaires and observations by testers. Most of the data collected so far
have been from preschool twins (146 in Australia, 284 in the United States, and 70 in Norway). Preliminary analyses for the
preschool cognitive measures showed reliable genetic influences on phonological awareness and several measures of memory and
learning. In contrast, vocabulary, grammar, and morphology showed significant shared environment and negligible genetic effects.
A print knowledge composite showed both genetic and shared environment influence. |
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