Designing effective early literacy interventions for children birth to five-years-old requires understanding the key early literacy developmental stages and incorporating evidence-based practices that support language acquisition, phonemic and phonological awareness, and a love of reading. From birth to five-years old children experience rapid growth in their cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional skills. During this time, they… Read more »
Month: August 2024
Small Talk, Big Impact: The Power of Conversations
Birth-preschool is the most critical period for children’s language development. Research shows that engaging young children in conversations builds their vocabulary, enhances their comprehension, and supports their future reading and writing skills. Conversations with adults expose children to a broader vocabulary, richer sentence structures, and various linguistic cues that are essential for literacy growth. Recent… Read more »
Love, Language, and Learning: The Role of Relationships in Developing Literacy Skills
While much attention is given to early literacy educational practices and programs, the impact of positive relationships between caregivers and young children on their literacy development cannot be overstated. Positive relationships are the foundation of environments that support early literacy skills to flourish. Research indicates that the frequency and quality of interactions between caregivers and… Read more »
Classroom Design with Literacy in Mind
Designing early childhood classrooms that support literacy skills development requires thoughtful organization, intentional material placement, and establishing routines that include literacy activities. Let’s take a closer look at some strategies that create settings that support the development of children’s literacy skills: Label Items: Label children’s personal items and classroom materials with pictures and words. Labeling… Read more »