This meta-synthesis investigates connections between listening and emergent literacy. Recent articles in the fields of educational research and educational neuroscience are reviewed and summarized. Seven themes emerged from this analysis of 48 articles, included in this meta- synthesis. These emergent themes, or theme clusters, include: (a) the development, or lack of development of a left hemisphere “reading network”; (b) links between sensory and literacy skills; (c) correlations between language and musical abilities; (d) environmental factors impacting language and literacy; (e) vocabulary acquisition; (f) aural and oral strategies, or strategies involving listening and speaking; and (g) computer aided instruction
