Foundations and Current Issues of Early Childhood Education/Chapter 2/2.3

What is literacy?

According to Peter Macinnis literacy is more than just books; it means a love of the language (Macinnis). Literacy is the ability to read and write. Reading and writing evolve from our language skills. Language is important because without it we would not be able to read.

Reading is very much a language activity and with it we have the ability to read. Our ability to read is limited by our language skills (Gunning p. 2). We need to understand our language to understand what we are reading. “Even if we can pronounce words we don’t understand because of superior phonics skills, we are not reading (Gunning p.2).”

Why should we promote early literacy?

Promoting literacy now can prevent reading difficulty which contributes to school failure. School failure leads to increase risk of absenteeism, drop-outs, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. All of these risks continue the cycle of poverty and dependency (ROR). Families that live in poverty lack the money to buy new books and access libraries. This cycle needs to be stopped and we can help stop it by promoting early literacy. Literacy needs to be promoted at an early age. Promoting literacy at an early prepares children for kindergarten. A child who is limited to their exposure in reading and writing may have very different expectations and understandings than those who have had exposure (Literacy Guide). Research shows that literacy improves children's ability to articulate their selves verbally, it increases children's listening vocabulary and it reduces that number of children with language delays that can prevent them from succeeding in school (ROR). Early literacy not only has a great effect on children but also the parents involved. Early literacy can change the attitudes of parents about reading out loud to children. When a parent reads to their child and they see that it is promoting their language skills, then they are likely to continue to read out loud to their child and more likely to try new and exciting activities. It can make reading a fun activity for children and parents. Reading can promote a routine bedtime story for the children and increase access to books (ROR). Reading to your child increases their vocabulary, making them more likely to learn to read on a schedule. Promoting literacy early helps the child to achieve goals that are accustomed to all. First, children want to become fluent and efficient readers and writers. To do this they need to be able to make sense of and transmit the meaning of our written language. Second, children want to become thinkers and communicators. With this they will become active reviewers and analyzers of information. Third, children will come to enjoy reading and writing. Lastly, children want to feel a sense of accomplishment, they want to feel successful users of literacy (Literacy Guide).

“A child who is often read to, or who regularly sees adults reading and writing for personal tasks and pleasure will expect that reading and writing play useful roles in life and are valued activities (Literacy Guide).”

How can we promote early literacy?

All parents want their child to succeed in life and become a well-rounded person and student. They want their child to excel in school and will do all that they know to do to help their child achieve this. Parents do not always know what they need to do to help strengthen their child's abilities and oftentimes they do not have the resources to do this. To strengthen and promote a child's literacy skills is very important. To help promote a young child's enjoyment in talking, listening, reading and writing adults can provide an assortment of appealing language experiences (Child Care). The most important thing is to be a model of literate behavior. This can be done by writing notes, keeping calendars or daily planners, post grocery lists and needed household items, children's responsibilities, introduce new vocabulary words through conversation and book reading and subscribe to the local newspaper or magazines (Child Care). Reading out loud to your children is also another way you can promote literacy. To do this you can follow the Reach Out and Read model. This model encourages pediatric literacy. At every check-up the doctors and nurses encourage the parents to read to their child. They also provide age-appropriate tips and encouragement. The Reach Out and Read model encourages parents who may have difficulty reading to invent their own stories to go with picture books. They can also spend more time naming objects with their child (ROR). Another key is resources. Some parents are not able to provide their child with resources, books, for their child. Providers for the Reach Out and Read model give every child between the ages of six months and five years a new, developmentally appropriate book to keep (ROR). There are many public libraries in every area. Take your child to the library and check out books or sit there and read to them. Not every family is able to participate in the Reach Out and Read model but they can follow some of their guidelines.

Spend time writing with your child. Forget about grammar and spelling and just let them write. If you are writing, put a pencil in their hand and allow them to write with you. If they just scribble something on a piece of paper, ask them what it is and write it for them. Encouragement is imperative at such a young age. Provide children with tools for literate practice. Tools may include materials such as paper, pencils, markers, pens, envelopes, magazines, newspapers and anything in that category (Child Care). This should be fun and exciting for the children and you so sing songs and make up silly rhymes, play with words and sounds and do this everyday.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Peter Macinnis what is literacy?

A. Books

B. Reading and Writing

C. Love of language

D. Both A and C

2. Promoting literacy early can prevent?

A. Reading difficulty

B. School drop outs

C. Teenage pregnancy

D. All of the above

3. To promote literacy parents should_______.

A. Model literate behavior

B. Make children write

C. Have children read books by their self

D. Buy books for your children

4. Which of the following are not tools for literate practice?

A. Paper

B. Map

C. Makers

D. Dictionary

5. Reading to children will increase/promote their ________.

A. Routine for bedtime stories

B. Vocabulary

C. A and B

D. None of the above

Answer Key 1. D 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. C

Essay Question

After reading this article you have a better understand of why promoting literacy early is important. Some families that live in poverty do not have access to some resources. Briefly discuss why early literacy is important and then discuss what these families can do to promote early literacy to possibly break the continued cycle?

Promoting literacy at a young age is important to prepare the child for their school years. If a child is well prepared and has a high vocabulary it will decrease their chances of having reading difficulties. When a child struggles in school they are most likely to stop going, drop-out. Children that do not attend school often get bored and find other ways to occupy their time. Activities many include criminal acts, the use of drugs or alcohol and sex. These children are usually from a family that is poverty and unfortunately this cycle will only continue for them and later generations to come. The cycle often continues because these children were not read to at a young age. Since they were not read to they do not find it of importance to read to their children or do not have access to resources or can not read their self. Families that are in poverty can break this cycle. They can promote literacy by talking to their children. Hold conversations with them all the time. Ask them questions, point to things and explain to them what it is. You can sing songs and make up rhymes with them. If you are able to get to a local library, sit in there and read to your child. Although you may not have access to all the resources in the world, you do not need them all to promote literacy. If you use what you have in the right ways then you will be successful in helping build your child's vocabulary.

References

Bank Street. Background Knowledge: Making Connections Between New and Known Information. Literacy Guide. February 27, 2007 from http://www.bnkst.edu/literacyguide/back.html.

Gunning, Thomas G. 2005. Creating Literacy. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Macinnis, Peter. (November 8, 1997). The Nature of Literacy. February 27, 2007 from http://www.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/literacy.htm .

Mofamweb. (April 12, 2005). Promoting Young Children's Early Literacy. Child Care. February 27, 2007 from http://missourifamilies.org/features/childcarearticles/childcare3.htm.

Reach Out and Read. Background Knowledge: Making Connections Between New and Known Information. Literacy Guide. February 27, 2007 from http://www.reachoutandread.org