Chapter 13 Fostering the Emergence of Literacy

Child Development 2

Chapter 13 – Fostering the Emergence of Literacy

What is appropriate Literacy teaching in Early Childhood?

·  A highly structured reading program in preschool

o  Understand what families want

o  Communicate with families about their children’s learning

o  Benefits of Play

o  Language Development activities

o  Foundations of Literacy

o  Use Documentation of Children’s Learning

·  What is the difference between fostering emergent literacy and teaching children to read and write?

o  Early literacy refers to behaviors seen in very young children, typically 2- to 3-year olds as they attempt reading and writing acts without the awareness or understanding of letter-sound relationships.

o  Emerging literacy refers to behaviors observed in 4- to 5-year old children when an awareness and understanding of letter-sound relationship begins to develop.

Teaching Strategies to help children develop literacy – Figure 13.1 - page 334

Activities that support children’s learning to read and write in the primary grades – Figure 13.2 – page 335

Some Fundamental Principles to Keep in Mind

·  Encourage Families to read to the children at home

·  Teachers should make it plain that they value the wonderful world of books

·  Teachers should emphasize how useful the written word can be

Even Very Young Children Can and Should Be Involved in Producing the Written Word

·  Writing on their own

·  Writing in the primary grades

·  Having someone write for them

Suggestions for presenting a language-Rich group-time experience

·  Include a variety of activities

·  Some specific suggestions about materials to include

o  Do include a book and poetry

o  Music and fingerplays are important, too

o  Auditory training should be provided

o  Group time is an ideal time to provide practice in Cognitive skills

o  Group time should provide multicultural, non-sexist subject matter - Figure 13.4 – page 346

·  Management suggestions to help group time go more smoothly

o  It is always wise to plan more activities than you are likely to use

o  Make certain the children talk, too

o  Make certain the material is interesting

o  Keep the tempo of group time upbeat

o  Some advice about starting and stopping

o  Some to do about undesirable behavior

o  Try breaking into smaller groups