What is the main purpose of dictation in a classroom setting?

The main purpose of dictation in a classroom setting is to write what the child says and expand language. This practice helps children articulate their thoughts and ideas verbally, while simultaneously allowing the instructor to record these expressions in written form. By doing so, dictation not only encourages language development but also serves as a valuable tool for helping children understand the relationship between spoken and written language.

When children observe their words transformed into text, they are able to connect sounds with letters and words, which reinforces their understanding of phonetics and vocabulary. Additionally, this practice fosters literacy skills as it invites opportunities for conversation about word choice, sentence structure, and can even introduce new vocabulary in context.

While testing reading abilities, demonstrating writing styles, or correcting spelling have their own place in literacy instruction, they do not encompass the primary objective of dictation, which is fundamentally about bridging speech and writing to enhance a child's communicative skills.