Mellisa Hannum
Children's Early Literacy Program
INFO 269-10: Early Childhood Literacy
Professor Beth Wrenn-Estes
San Jose State University
November 22, 2021
Children's Early Literacy Program
INFO 269-10: Early Childhood Literacy
Professor Beth Wrenn-Estes
San Jose State University
November 22, 2021
Research
What are the best ways to get children ready for school? In Every Child Ready to Read, oral language, phonological awareness, print conventions and awareness, letter knowledge, vocabulary, and background knowledge are all aspects needed for early literacy (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013). As one of the key precursor skills to early literacy, Phillips, et al. (2008) found that phonological awareness is an important part of a child’s development, and many educators lack a clear understanding of how to best teach it in a clear, robust manner.
"Phonological awareness: the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words, beginning with recognizing environmental sounds (e.g., doorbell, animals) and progressing to hearing syllables, rhyme, and sounds at the beginning of words" (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013, p. 3).
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Conveying early literacy information during storytimes can be a compelling way to involve caregivers in the reasoning behind the program, that it is more than just an opportunity for entertainment (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013). As Ghoting covers in this YouTube video, an effective early literacy aside incorporates research into how an activity can support later reading (Library of Virginia, 2012). "By giving adults a role in storytime for at least some of the activities, we send a signal that they are also supporting their children's language development and that their participation is important" (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013, p. 80).
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Yet, reading is just one key component to early literacy. Skills gained in science and math are also important. “Whether it is gardening, building forts, stacking blocks, playing at the water table, or lining up by height in the classroom, children demonstrate a clear readiness to engage in STEM learning early in life” (The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, 2017, p. 4). Just like phonological awareness, STEM-focused literacy may be lacking in a preschool curriculum. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center (2017) found that ideas gained in STEM activities laid the groundwork for deeper learning, critical thinking, and problem solving.
Finally, adult participation outside of the library environment is important for ongoing early literacy success. Arthur & Makin (2001) found that focusing on literacy as a social practice helped children achieve. They discovered that by creating a “literacy apprenticeship”, children's experiences at home were valued, including the connection between early literacy and play (Arthur & Makin, 2001). Arthur & Makin’s (2001) recommendations for library staff included “Exchanging information with families, building on children's home and community experiences, planning to support individual literacy needs, integrating literacy experiences across the curriculum, and interacting with children to scaffold literacy understandings” (pp. 18-19).
References
Arthur, L., & Makin, L. (2001). High quality early literacy programs. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 26(2), 14–19. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76627001/AONE?u=csusj&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=bdc5beef
Ghoting, S. N., & Martin-Díaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!: Developing young children's language and literacy. ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
Idaho STEM Action Center. (2019, July 11). STEM as an approach to early childhood learning. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/-r4DfID6H24
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center. (2017). STEM starts early: Grounding science, technology, engineering, and math education in early childhood. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop New America. https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jgcc_stemstartsearly_final.pdf
Library of Virginia. (2012, June 20). What is an effective early literacy aside? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/kvnbeBcdFaI
Phillips, B. M., Clancy-Menchetti, J., & Lonigan, C. J. (2008). Successful phonological awareness instruction with preschool children: Lessons from the classroom. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 28(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121407313813
Understood. (2019, December 20). What is phonological awareness? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/K0G6teawxls
Ghoting, S. N., & Martin-Díaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!: Developing young children's language and literacy. ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
Idaho STEM Action Center. (2019, July 11). STEM as an approach to early childhood learning. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/-r4DfID6H24
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center. (2017). STEM starts early: Grounding science, technology, engineering, and math education in early childhood. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop New America. https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jgcc_stemstartsearly_final.pdf
Library of Virginia. (2012, June 20). What is an effective early literacy aside? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/kvnbeBcdFaI
Phillips, B. M., Clancy-Menchetti, J., & Lonigan, C. J. (2008). Successful phonological awareness instruction with preschool children: Lessons from the classroom. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 28(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121407313813
Understood. (2019, December 20). What is phonological awareness? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/K0G6teawxls