LITERACY THE POWERHOUSE OF LEARNING - Starting Early for Timely Success!
What does literacy-rich early learning classrooms, environments look like? Some tend to believe providing literacy wealth in their classroom for the youngster learners - means having a variety of Read Alouds. So great time is spent for those teachers to select, order or purchase plenty of colorful books, having catchy titles and interesting illustrations. All, with hope to catch the eyes, ears & attention of their quite mobile, often squirming students. It’s norm to walk into a classroom, and witness books displayed predominately in the library area - accessible to children. Others trust that to better support children’s early literacy development - the primary focus…time should be to introduce letters, and their different (or similar) sounds. While support and helping to improve children’s literacy, do include the above actions…these literacy support practices should not be considered exclusive. Literacy-rich classroom materials & teacher practices, activities should be research based. Why? Research-based practices and activities align as having greater potential for children’s achievement, and provides a better barometer to measure literacy development, improvement and growth. In turn researchers, educators note that when practices are research-based, there too is a greater opportunity to address disparities or gaps in the literacy development process.
Literacy teacher practices and activities in the classroom should not be viewed as isolated. In fact, it’s more effective to view literacy as the powerhouse of children’s learning! Every learning activity in the literacy-rich classroom is fueled first by identifying specific literacy target growth areas. It’s important to keep that in mind. Beginning with the morning greeting of the children, Students finding their area to place personal items - labeled with their clearly written name. Literacy enrichment includes print all around the classroom, in the hallways, throughout the school - even in the bathroom. The point is to create an environment where children are exposed to word text. Also, that the combination of letters, and letter sounds can communicate messages. Teacher practices when promoting literacy development with the youngest learner should be intentional. Meaning that teachers plan for activities with intentional (direct) goals in mind which incorporates literacy into the daily routines, materials, interactions, lesson preparation and learning areas. The dramatic play or life skills area has signs, pictures with message captions, different symbols, simple word recipes in the kitchen, books and more. In 2016 Michigan Legislature passed a law Public Act 306 (MCL 380.1280f) that reference, Michigan third grade students identified not scoring proficient on the state assessment can be retained. Moreover, that includes being one or more grade levels behind in reading. The law referred as more attention, or public awareness was placed on Michigan’s lower end third-grade reading proficiency scores. According to a Detroit News article, March 6, 2018, Michigan dipped bottom in a group of eleven comparable states. This finding would lead one to believe there is definitely more work to be done in making literacy a prime focus, for children’s present & future overall educational success. We can’t afford to casually see the value, or wait to get in step with - efficient use of research-supported instructional literacy practices, and interventions for our children. Especially, at the Pre-kindergarten level. Let’s look at the set-up in the dramatic play kitchen. Literacy is being promoted when there’s material such as cereal boxes, note pads, erase white boards, labels on shelves, furniture etc. Block area too should include writing pads so children can practice formulating messages, at their particular level/ stage of writing. While having relevant real life materials accessible to children, literacy enrichment is being promoted. Moreover, when planning the set-up, which includes changes in various development play areas, teachers should blue print strong features that emphasize language and communication expansion. This must be integrated within the literacy-rich environment & curriculum.
The need to read & write with proficiency is everywhere! We live in a world that screams, READ! The question must not be whether teachers should implement strong, research-based literary practices in the classroom - that’s already established. What’s is questionable, How do we better educate and/or influence teachers, child care providers and parents to investigate research-based practices? Inspire ongoing learning, reflection, commitment, AND act in accordance to best practices - Instructional Essential Practices in Early Literacy? Early literacy starts as early as infancy. Reading to infants, toddlers and preschool children includes pointing to the text as you read…showing illustration. Salient text is pleasing to young children and encourages them to really look at the text. Why? It’s interesting, creative and often positioned on the page(s) promoting reading /writing directionality - left to right…up to down. Soooo, what should early educators know & do to infuse a literacy packed curriculum, and classroom?
Look at literacy as the powerhouse or cornerstone of children’s learning.
Think emergent readers are as young as babies, toddlers. Therefore, no such thing as starting to promote literacy interest and development too EARLY! Exposure to print, referencing, plus adult interactions provokes thought. Adults have the ability to stir whatever gifts children possess, to help move them along in their learning journey. In addition, teachers who impact children positively help them to explore language, practice letter sound(s), songs, rhyming patterns, as well as phonological awareness.
Start at the literacy reading and writing level children are at - rather than where you think they should be. It would be absurd to see…know you have the ingredients at hand to make a lemon cake, then expect to prepare spaghetti & meatballs.
Use a variety of artifacts - props, read aloud books, abundant materials & researched-based teacher practices. Practices that help to guide children - foster literacy independence, and a higher order of thinking. To learn more about Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy visit the websites: Michigan Department of Education , MDE - Early Literacy - State of Michigan; Literacy Essentials.org .
E L DeYampert Child Care Brand Consulting now offers Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy Prekindergarten (Ten modules) training workshops.
- Eartha L. DeYampert, Senior Consultant