Music and visual arts are staples in early childhood settings, but did you know that engaging in these activities also supports early literacy development? Music and visual arts like painting, drawing and sculpting help children embrace literacy through multisensory experiences. The melodies and rhythms of music are the gateway to language and literacy skills during… Read more »
What does it mean to be READY for Kindergarten?
Kindergarten teachers have weighed in and have shared the skills they think are most important for children just starting formal schooling. It may surprise you to learn that it isn’t recognizing and naming alphabet letters and sounds, colors and numbers or even writing their name. While these can be helpful, kindergarten teachers say that these… Read more »
Literacy from the Start Begins at Home: Partnering with Families on Their Child’s Literacy Journey
Research consistently shows that children who are exposed to language-rich environments from birth are better prepared to read and write when they enter school. Fostering early literacy skills is a collaborative effort between families and early education professionals. Let’s explore strategies for partnering with families to support early literacy for children from birth to five… Read more »
Breaking Barriers by Supporting Children with Identified Disabilities to Fully Participate in Early Literacy Activities
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Therefore, this entry will focus on strategies that support young children with identified disabilities to fully participate in early literacy activities. Literacy is the thread that weaves together imagination, communication, and learning. For children with disabilities, this thread is uniquely shaped by their needs, abilities, and modes of engagement. … Read more »
Sunshine & Stories: Developing Early Literacy Outdoors
Spring is the perfect time to take early literacy learning into the great outdoors. For our youngest learners, the natural environment offers sensory experiences, exploration, and discovery—all which foster literacy development. Let’s take a closer look at some exciting outdoor activities that enhance early literacy skills while basking in the beauty of spring. Outside Storytime… Read more »
The Many Ways to Read a Book
From the moment they first encounter a book, to the magical moments when they decode words independently, the process of learning to read is a fascinating adventure filled with discovery and wonder. Let’s explore the different ways children “read” books: Touching: For infants and toddlers, books are not just stories but tactile experiences. Little fingers… Read more »
Connecting Early Literacy and the Science of Reading
The ability to read and comprehend written language opens doors to knowledge, creativity, and personal growth. However, not all approaches to teaching reading are evidence-based. That’s where the Science of Reading comes in. It’s a comprehensive framework rooted in cognitive science and linguistics that provides concrete information about how we learn to read and how… Read more »
Celebrating Chinese Culture
As you know, it is imperative that you incorporate books into your classroom about the ethnicities and cultures of the children you serve and that some of those books are written by authors and illustrators native to those cultures. But did you know that it is also important to teach children about cultures they might… Read more »
Monkey See, Monkey Do- It’s More than Just a Game!
Why do we play imitation games with young children? Of course it’s fun, but did you know that the ability to imitate actions and sounds is a crucial aspect of children’s literacy development? Let’s explore why encouraging children to imitate actions and sounds is an important part of their literacy journey. It Builds Cognitive… Read more »
Abolishing Ableism in Early Childhood Settings
In the words of James Comer “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship”. Therefore, developing early literacy skills requires building significant relationships with children. In order to develop significant relationships with children, they must feel valued, respected, and loved for exactly who they are. It is crucial to create inclusive environments that value… Read more »