Early Literacy

The topic of early literacy is a very controversial issue because it is hard to tell when a child is ready to start reading, and if flags should be raised if child is not reading by a certain time. However, it is agreed that literacy starts before any formal education takes place. Parents promote literacy in babies by talking to them, singing, and reading stories. This book hopes to provide information to parents about early literacy in general. Strategies and ideas for parents and educators on how to promote early literacy in the home and in the classroom. There is also a bibliography which includes facts and research findings backing up the ideas and strategies.

Foundations for Early Literacy Development

Oral Language

strengthen listening and speaking abilities
develop confidence in using language
become familiar with vocabulary and sentence structure

Textual

develop an enjoyment for reading
becoming familiar with the language of fiction and nonfiction books
develop basic book knowledge,
develop concepts of print
develop the ability to track print

Graphophonic

strengthen auditory and visual discrimination
develop phonemic awareness
develop knowledge of letter-sound relationships

Independent Reading and Writing

develop an enjoyment of writing
perceiving oneself as a reader and writer
view reading and writing as valuable

Strategies for Promoting Early Literacy in the Class

Reading Strategies

Show enthusiasm in reading books
Assemble a cut-up story (story sequencing)
Reread stories so children learn the story lines and can 'read' them on their own
Read rhyming books or poems to the children
Label things in the classroom
Alphabet chart
Photos with names
Have a wide range of accessible reading material

Oral Language Strategies

Use story telling props
Computer Software that repeats keyed in words
Sing songs and do finger plays
Tell stories through drawn pictures
Encourage dramatization of stories
Games and other activities that involve talking, listening, and following directions
Make rhymes and songs using children’s names

Writing Strategies

Allow children to create and publish books
Include literacy materials in all centres of the class
Display materials created by the children
Create a word wall
Magnetic letters for word play
Photos and names of the children in a class book

Word Making Strategies

Clap out syllables of words
Working with letters and/or words using magnetic letters
Alphabetic awareness activities in which children learn that printed words are made up of patterns of letters.
Games and materials that encourage capital and lower case letter learning
Practice blending letters together
Work with rhyming words

Strategies for Promoting Early Literacy in the Home

Have conversations with your child
Play games with your child
Get a library card and take frequent trips to the library
Take walks and talk about the signs you see
Make shopping lists together
Read familiar stories
Read repetition and rhyming books
Encourage your child to tell stories
Make up fun rhymes while doing chores
Sing instead of talk
Ask question and encourage child to ask questions
Label things around the house
Talk about letters and what they mean
Supply a wide variety of literacy equipment (crayons, paper, pens, envelopes, etc.)

Predictable Books

Predictable books are books which consist of rhyming, repetition, pattern of words, repeated scenes, or sequences. These stories include children in the reading process, children are able to take guesses and make predictions about what will happen next, what word will come next, or what character will show up next. Kinds of predictable books and some examples are listed below.

Chain or Circular Story

The plot is structured so the end is also the beginning.

50 Below Zero by Robert Munsch
If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema

Cumulative Story

Every time a new event occurs previous events are repeated.

"Not Me," Said the Monkey by Colin West
Moira's Birthday by Robert Munsch
The Gingerbread Man by Jean Richards
Today Is Monday by Eric Carle

Familiar Sequence

Uses recognizable themes like the days of the week or months of the year.

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Today Is Monday by Eric Carle

Question and Answer

The same or similar questions are repeated throughout the story.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Eric Carle
Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle

Repetition of Phrase

A phrase or sentence is repeated throughout the book.

A Mouse In My House by Nancy Van Laan
A Promise Is a Promise by Robert Munsch
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.
"I Don't Care!" Said the Bear by Colin West
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles B. Shaw
Mortimer by Robert Munsch

Rhyme

Rhyming words, refrains, or patterns are used throughout the story.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr
The Wheels on the Bus by Maryann Kovalski
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

External Research Papers

External Websites

References

Brooker, L. (2002). 'Five on the first of December!': What can we learn from case studies of early childhood literacy? Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 2, 291-313. Online Link
Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2003). New Technologies in Early Childhood Literacy Research: A Review of Research. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 3, 59-82. Online Link