Early Literacy

What is Early Literacy?

 

Early literacy is the skills children develop that help prepare them to one day be able to speak, read, and write.  It is what children know about reading before they read, write or attend school.  It is not teaching children how to read; it is getting them ready for kindergarten, where they will learn to read.  Talking and reading to children are the best ways to encourage language and literacy development.

 

What is our role as early educators?

 

Early Childhood Care Providers and Educators play a crucial role in the development of the children they care for.  Research has shown that early childhood experiences help determine brain structure, and shape thinking and learning.  Children who are introduced to books and early literacy skills from a young age are more likely to succeed when they go to school.  Birth to 5 years which are the first 2000 days are the most important early learning years.

 

Why do we read to children?

 

Reading to young children is one of the best ways to encourage language and literacy development.  Exposing children to a variety of books and pictures helps stimulate their brains.

 

Read it Again!

 

Why read the story five times and in different ways?

 

Given that children learn best through repetition and the best way to forge new connections in the brain is by building on something already learned, the same book is retold in different ways.

 

The Garden Party – Lesson Plan

 

More Books for “Read It Again”

• Bark George by Jules Feiffer

• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

• Shh! We Have a Plan by  Chris Haughton

• Not a Box by Antoinette Portis