Preschool Literacy

The quality of a child's preschool literacy experience plays a significant role in their later success with literacy and even school and general.

According to the International Reading Association's position statement, found in their publication Literacy Development in the Preschool Years, there are five major characteristics that will contribute to a child's literacy success in the future. They are: oral language development, phonological/phonemic awareness, alphabetic knowledge, print knowledge, and invented spelling. Let's take a look at how each of these should contribute to preschool literacy.

Oral language development is comprised of both talking and active listening. According to the National Institute for Literacy, children are learning to do the following:

1. communicate - listen and respond when other people are talking;
2. understand the meaning of a large number of words and concepts they have heard or read; and
3. obtain new information about things.

The foundation for these skills is laid from the very beginning, and by the preschool years children are building on what they've learned, adding new vocabulary and concepts from those around them, as well as from print and digital media.

The very best way to contribute to a child's preschool literacy through oral language development is simply to talk with kids. There is a difference between talking with children and talking at children (giving directions, asking just yes/no questions, etc.). Rather than talking at children, we want to engage them in rich dialogue, asking them for explanations and information about what they are doing and inviting them into conversation by taking an interest in what they are saying and doing naturally, often through their playing.

The National Institute for Literacy (closed in 2010) published a very helpful and comprehensive guide on developing oral language. It can be downloaded from HERE.

Phonological and Phonemic Awareness are actually two different things, and they both contribute equally to the development of preschool literacy. Lots of people have probably heard of phonological awareness, or phonics: the ability to understand that letters have sounds and that the combination of letter sounds blend to make words. However, the building blocks for phonological awareness are actually phonemic awareness skills, and that has nothing to do with print!

Children very naturally pick up many phonological and phonemic awareness skills, particularly when in a supportive and rich language environment.

Phonemic Awareness is the awareness of the smallest units of sound (phonemes) and the ability to hear, isolate, and manipulate sounds. It is all auditory, and most often does not involve visual. Phonemic awareness includes: rhyming, phoneme awareness, segmenting, blending, and sound manipulation. The Phonological Awareness website gives definitions and great activities to approach each.

One thing to know is that children very naturally pick up many of these skills, particularly when in a supportive and rich language environment. However, playing with each piece of phonemic awareness can help a great deal. Additionally, Kindergarten and even First Grade teachers often find that a child who is struggling with phonics is actually missing phonemic awareness as well. Going back and specifically teaching phonemic awareness can be a great intervention strategy for struggling readers, however it is always best to start early, in the preschool literacy years, and lay a strong foundation.

Alphabetic Knowledge refers to knowing your ABCs in print, both upper and lower case. There are differing opinions on whether to teach upper or lower case first, but the most important thing to do is just expose children to the alphabet in various enriching ways. Do multi-sensory activities, like writing letters in sand or shaving cream, read ABC books (there are so many wonderful ones!), point out letters in signs around town. One of the best ways to expose children early on to ABC recognition is to start with the letters in their name, and then move on to the letters in the names of friends and family. This also lays the foundation for the idea that letters make words and those words have meaning, so it's a double benefit!

Print Knowledge refers to understanding some basic ideas about print itself. Again, more than anything, this is about just enjoying books and print together. Keep books and age-appropriate magazines where children can reach and enjoy them. Talk about which way is right side up, what is happening in the picture, let them turn the pages, etc. Lots of enjoyable reading experience together is what counts.

Invented Spelling has to do with letting children put to use all of the above skills and start writing. Their attempt at writing doesn't even have to be close to accurate though. Just holding the writing tool (crayon, marker, etc.) and experimenting with putting print on paper is a valuable early step. Again, give kids fun and natural ways to practice this, such as "helping" create a grocery list, or writing a label next to one of their pictures. Encourage them to naturally begin to play with printing.

Each of these components plays an important role in the development of preschool literacy. Children should have the opportunity to experience them in natural environments, through play, and through fun and stimulating adult-led activities as well.