FCS: Child Development Laboratory @ NCAT

Early literacy refers to the foundational skills, knowledge, and attitudes that children develop in the preschool years, which prepare them for reading and writing. The Creative Curriculum® emphasizes that early literacy development is a comprehensive process that encompasses various domains, including language, communication, and cognitive development. Here is a detailed definition based on The Creative Curriculum® principles:

1. Oral Language Development: The ability to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions verbally. This includes expanding vocabulary, understanding sentence structure, and engaging in conversations.

2. Phonological Awareness: The recognition and manipulation of sounds in spoken language. This involves skills such as rhyming, segmenting sounds in words, and identifying initial sounds.

3. Print Awareness: Understanding the forms and functions of written language. This includes recognizing print in the environment, understanding that print carries meaning, and knowing how to handle books.

4. Alphabet Knowledge: The ability to recognize and name letters of the alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase, and understand that letters have specific sounds.

5. Emergent Writing: The development of skills to express ideas through drawing, scribbling, and eventually writing letters and words. This involves fine motor skills and an understanding of the purpose of writing.

6. Comprehension Skills: The ability to understand and interpret stories and information. This includes predicting outcomes, retelling stories, and answering questions about texts read aloud.

7. Motivation to Read: Developing a positive attitude towards books and reading. This is fostered by providing engaging and diverse reading materials and creating a literacy-rich environment.

Fostering early literacy skills in preschoolers is a vital part of their educational journey. Engaging children in fun and interactive literacy activities not only helps them develop crucial reading and writing skills but also instills a love of learning that can last a lifetime. Here are some effective and enjoyable activities to incorporate into your preschool classroom:

Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

Hide alphabet cards around the classroom and have children find and identify each letter. This activity encourages letter recognition and provides a playful way to learn the alphabet.

Story Time

Read aloud to the class daily, using expressive voices and asking questions about the story to engage children. Story time enhances listening skills, vocabulary, and comprehension while fostering a love for books.

Letter Tracing

Provide children with sand trays, playdough, or finger paint to practice tracing letters. This hands-on activity helps develop fine motor skills and reinforces letter shapes and sounds.

Rhyming Games

Play games where children match rhyming words or create simple rhymes with familiar words. Rhyming games boost phonological awareness, an essential skill for reading development.

Word Walls

Create a word wall with common words and children's names. Use the wall for various activities, such as word matching and recognition. Word walls help build vocabulary and sight word recognition, making it easier for children to read and write.

• Create a Literacy-Rich Environment

  • Fill your classroom with books, labels, and literacy-related materials. Ensure that books are accessible and organized.

• Encourage Storytelling

  • Allow children to tell their own stories, whether through pictures, words, or play. This fosters narrative skills and imagination.

• Incorporate Literacy into Daily Activities

  • Integrate literacy into all parts of the day, from circle time to snack time, by discussing letters, sounds, and words.

• Use Multi-Sensory Approaches

  • Engage children’s senses in learning to read and write, using tactile, auditory, and visual methods.

• Model Reading and Writing

  • Demonstrate reading and writing in everyday activities. Let children see you write lists, read instructions, or enjoy a book.

• Alphabet Books

  • "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
    • A fun, rhythmic story about letters climbing a coconut tree.
  • "Dr. Seuss's ABC" by Dr. Seuss
    • A whimsical exploration of the alphabet with rhyming text and imaginative illustrations.

• Phonics Books

  • "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss
    • Simple rhyming words that help children learn the sounds of letters.
  • "Letter Sounds" by Cynthia Rothman
    • Engaging pictures and simple text to teach phonics.

• Story Books

  • "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr.
    • A repetitive, predictable text that builds confidence in early readers.
  • "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle
    • A story with repetitive language and counting to enhance vocabulary and number recognition.

• Interactive Books

  • "Press Here" by Hervé Tullet
    • An interactive book that encourages children to follow instructions and interact with the story.
  • "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" by Mo Willems
    • Engages children with its direct address and prompts them to respond to the story.