Relationship between naming speed, cognitive processes and decoding skills in normal readers in primary education (Relación entre la velocidad de denominación, los procesos cognitivos y habilidades de decodificación en estudiantes normolectores de educación primaria)

ABSTRACT Learning to read is a complex challenge during childhood, so being aware of the processes that facilitate it is essential. Decoding skills, naming speed and their relationship to reading difficulties are part of these processes. This study aims to ascertain whether there is a relationship between naming speed, cognitive variables (processing speed and working memory) and decoding skills. The sample was made up of 42 students in the first, second, third and fourth years of primary education (62% males and 38% females) between the ages of six and 10. Hierarchical regression models showed that naming times significantly predict reading pseudo-words, while no significant relationship was found with cognitive variables. The usefulness of naming tasks is shown to be a good early predictor of reading, while no direct relationship between naming times and cognitive variables is detected.