Introduction
Early literacy experiences are crucial to a young child’s literacy and language development (Brown, 2014). Children who are given the opportunity to develop the foundational skills in language and literacy in preschool, are better prepared to learn to read and write in kindergarten, and enjoy more academic success later in life (Brown, 2014). When given the opportunity to engage in purposeful and meaningful language, children can develop a strong literacy and reading development foundation (Brown, 2014). The development of language, literacy, and reading require several foundational skills which become more proficient and complex as skills are mastered (Brown, 2014). Educators must be knowledgeable of the developmental process …show more content…
“Young children learn best through repeated exposure to material and experiences” (Bennett-Armistead, et al, p. 28, 2005). Play also has a vital role in the development of a child’s oral language skills (Smith & Read, 2005). “Through play, children learn to understand and respond to the content of oral language, integrate new information into their conceptual understandings, clarify misunderstandings, ask questions, create meaning, and solve problems” (Smith & Read, 2005, p. 51). Language interaction can also be encouraged while playing in various centers such as, the dramatic play area, sensory table, or block center providing opportunities to develop language by using language (Smith & Read, 2009). Dramatic play is important in a child’s literacy development. By interacting with dramatic play, children are exposed to texts that are necessary to perform various tasks (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005). Oral language interactions are also facilitated by making props available for children to use during play (Bennett-Armistead et al., 2005). The more play interactions children have with each other, the more opportunities they will have to use their developing language (Kieff & Casbergue, 2000). Including functional print with dramatic play, children can see that there are many ways to use text …show more content…
There is an increasing population of children in the United States whose primary language is other than English (Tabors, 1998). ELLs enter school with various levels of education and experiences with the English language (Bennett-Amistead, et al, 2005). Many ELLs are exposed to English when they enter preschool (Coppola, 2005). In order to make informed decisions about instructions, activities and placement, teachers should understand the literacy and language backgrounds of each child (Bennett-Amistead, et al, 2005). All children acquire language through the same process and at the same rate (Brown, 2014). Students who are learning English as a second language should be exposed to grade level appropriate curriculum content (Bennett-Amistead, et al,
Early literacy experiences are crucial to a young child’s literacy and language development (Brown, 2014). Children who are given the opportunity to develop the foundational skills in language and literacy in preschool, are better prepared to learn to read and write in kindergarten, and enjoy more academic success later in life (Brown, 2014). When given the opportunity to engage in purposeful and meaningful language, children can develop a strong literacy and reading development foundation (Brown, 2014). The development of language, literacy, and reading require several foundational skills which become more proficient and complex as skills are mastered (Brown, 2014). Educators must be knowledgeable of the developmental process …show more content…
“Young children learn best through repeated exposure to material and experiences” (Bennett-Armistead, et al, p. 28, 2005). Play also has a vital role in the development of a child’s oral language skills (Smith & Read, 2005). “Through play, children learn to understand and respond to the content of oral language, integrate new information into their conceptual understandings, clarify misunderstandings, ask questions, create meaning, and solve problems” (Smith & Read, 2005, p. 51). Language interaction can also be encouraged while playing in various centers such as, the dramatic play area, sensory table, or block center providing opportunities to develop language by using language (Smith & Read, 2009). Dramatic play is important in a child’s literacy development. By interacting with dramatic play, children are exposed to texts that are necessary to perform various tasks (Bennett-Armistead, et al., 2005). Oral language interactions are also facilitated by making props available for children to use during play (Bennett-Armistead et al., 2005). The more play interactions children have with each other, the more opportunities they will have to use their developing language (Kieff & Casbergue, 2000). Including functional print with dramatic play, children can see that there are many ways to use text …show more content…
There is an increasing population of children in the United States whose primary language is other than English (Tabors, 1998). ELLs enter school with various levels of education and experiences with the English language (Bennett-Amistead, et al, 2005). Many ELLs are exposed to English when they enter preschool (Coppola, 2005). In order to make informed decisions about instructions, activities and placement, teachers should understand the literacy and language backgrounds of each child (Bennett-Amistead, et al, 2005). All children acquire language through the same process and at the same rate (Brown, 2014). Students who are learning English as a second language should be exposed to grade level appropriate curriculum content (Bennett-Amistead, et al,