Parallel semantic processing in early reading acquisition: Evidence from the rapid parallel visual presentation paradigm

This study investigates whether the "Parafoveal-on-Foveal" (PoF) and "Parafoveal Preview Effect" (PPE), effects observed in adults, also occur in children learning to read. These effects involve faster reading times and improved accuracy when semantic relatedness is present between foveal and parafoveal words. These semantic effects are explored in young readers through the administration of the Rapid Parallel Visual Presentation (RPVP). Forty-six children from 1st to 5th grade were divided into two groups based on the reading acquisition, defined based on literature. The group of beginner readers is composed of 12 children attending 1st and 2nd grade, while children attending from3rd to 5th grade composed the group of experienced readers. Preliminary results show reduced reading times of the foveal word (PoF) and higher accuracy in reading the parafoveal word (PPE), suggesting that semantic parafoveal processing occurs already in the early stages of development.