Chapter 3Language and Literacy

Overview of Language Development

• Desire to communicate• Usually accomplished without formal

instruction• Critical windows of opportunity• Emergent literacy

Language Development of Young Children

• Baby’s cry• Cooing• Smiling and laughing• Babbling• Association• One-word usage• Recall• Telegraphic speech• Multiword speech

Literacy Development of Young Children

• Circular• Through play• Components

– Listening– Speaking– Reading– Writing

• Phonics, phonological awareness, phonemes, rhyming, whole language

• Balanced reading program

Encouraging Family Support

• Recognize the value of family efforts• Communicate with families through notes

and letters• Respect the language of the home and

school• Involve parents in activities• Encourage reading and writing activities in

the home

Respecting a Child’s Bilingual, Bicultural World

• Support native language literacy first• Stages of acquiring a second language

Language and Literacy Environment

• National and state standards• The classroom is print-rich• Children have access to listening, reading,

and writing materials that are available at all times

• The process—not the product—is the emphasis of all activities

Assessment

• Collect children’s work• Keep records of conversations and

interviews with children• Use tools that are sensitive to cultural and

linguistic needs

Literacy and Technology

• Not just computers• Can enhance all aspects of literacy• Portfolios• Connection to families

Language and Literacy Activities

• Flannel board activities– Retell stories– Interactive

• Group time activities– Finger plays– Poetry– Songs– Stories– Sensory activities

• Language activities