It’s that time of year again. The holidays are approaching and we start thinking about all the fun crafts we can do with our little ones. Yes, crafts are fun and cute, but as with all activities, be sure to consider what makes crafting meaningful for young children and always consider the purpose of the… Read more »
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Fall into Literacy: Using The Autumn Season to Support Early Literacy Skills
The Autumn season offers numerous opportunities to support early literacy development with its vibrant colors, exciting holidays, and cozy atmosphere. Educators and families can maximize children’s natural curiosity and excitement of this time of year to create meaningful and engaging literacy experiences. Incorporating seasonal themes into literacy activities helps children connect learning to their real… Read more »
Developing Phonological and Phonemic Awareness with Pre Readers and Writers
Children typically become pre readers and writers at about the age of five. During this stage, they will exhibit more advanced reading and writing abilities. You can support their phonological and phonemic awareness by continuing all of the activities you were doing when they were in the early reading and writing stage while placing more… Read more »
How to Develop Phonological and Phonemic Awareness During the Early Reading and Writing Stage
Children in the early reading and writing stage are usually between 3 and 4 years of age, but this is a very general guideline because all children develop at their own pace. Here are some strategies to support phonological and phonemic awareness with early readers and writers: Rhyming Activities: Rhyming games and activities help children… Read more »
Emergent Literacy and Alphabet Knowledge
Emergent literacy generally occurs during the first two years of life. But remember, chronological ages are very general guidelines and all children develop at their own pace. For more information on the early literacy stages, please visit this previous blog post: https://blogs.iu.edu/earlyliteracy/2023/08/25/early-literacy-developmental-continuum/ Developing alphabet knowledge during the emergent literacy stage focuses on exposure, exploration, and… Read more »
Early Literacy: Developmental Continuum
The Reading Brain Early literacy skills serve as building blocks for a child’s future reading and writing abilities, enabling them to thrive academically and in life. Let’s explore the Early Literacy Skills Continuum, understanding its significance and effective ways to support children on their unique literacy journey. The Early Literacy Skills Continuum is a developmental… Read more »
Digging Into Early Literacy Interventions to Plant Literacy Seeds that Blossom
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 »
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 nurturing and supportive environments that support early literacy skills to flourish. Research indicates that the frequency and quality of interactions… 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 »