[E-34] Early Literacy in Preschool and Kindergarten

For introductory courses in Early Childhood literacy.

A well-known early childhood author joins with a literacy expert to offer a brand new approach to early literacy in preschool, leading into kindergarten reading. New research on how literacy emerges is put to use in chapters on setting up a literacy-friendly learning environment, music and art as natural languages, strengthening finger muscles for writing through 3-dimensional art, cooking, and woodworking, developing visual representational skills ( a la Reggio Emilia), developing the important "sense of story sequence" through role-plays, story reenactments, and flannel board stories.

Teachers are asked to make a paradigm shift in regard to their opinion of children's books as mere sources of entertainment. This text uses picture books as keys to unlocking an entire curriculum of literacy activities, with cultural book characters like real children, leading preschool and kindergarten listeners into learning centers filled with exciting literacy activities for them to pursue on their own. Emergent Literacy (child-initiated) and skill-based teaching (teacher-oriented) are discussed along with suggestions on how and when to use each.

A discussion of the new early childhood curriculum standards suggests ways to incorporate them in early childhood classrooms.


PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Foundations of Early Literacy

2. A Multicultural Perspective



PART 2: EMERGENT SPEAKING

3. Language Development in Young Children

4. Sounds of the Language: Rhyme, Rhythm, and Song

5. Sounds of the Language: Speaking and Listening



PART 3: EMERGENT WRITING

6. Developing Eye-Hand Coordination

7. Art as a Natural Language

8. Becoming a Writer



PART 4: EMERGENT READING

9. How Reading Emerges

10. Home Book Experience

11. Becoming a Reader



Appendix A: Cultural Character Paperback Books from Scholastic

Appendix B: Topical Cultural Character Book Index

Appendix C: Addresses of Educational Supply Companies

Index of Children's Books

Index