Literacy development plays an immeasurably significant role in early childhood as it helps to form a particular kind of learning experience connected with enhanced productivity, higher graduation rates, and general academic achievement in adult life. In general, literacy has several categories that include:
- Visual literacy (understanding between people, objects, places, and printed words);
- Textual literacy (an ability to correspond different manners of the word’s writing with its meaning);
- Digital and media literacy (an ability to use digital resources and create text with the use of audio and video materials);
- Information literacy (an ability to access and comprehend information using information systems);
- Social literacy (an ability to cooperate with peers and adopt social norms, rules, and expectations);
- Multisensory literacy (the combination of literacy skills with sensory experiences) (SJSU School of Information, 2015).
The components of literacy traditionally include the component of enjoyment, language and vocabulary, phonological awareness, letters and words, comprehension, and knowledge of print (Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education, 2019). At the same time, the majority of specialists admit that although family plays a considerable role in the development of literacy, the main process should be held in a classroom as only teachers may control it, evaluate children’s progress, correct mistakes, and introduce appropriate strategies for better outcomes (Mississippi Public Broadcasting, 2020). The most common assessment strategies for literacy development in pre-school include various games and other reading- and writing-related activities that help students identify and remember the alphabet’s letters, “pretend” writing and reading, and interactive experiences through nursery rhymes, poems, and songs to get acquainted with print and language. In addition, the ability of a teacher to spark children’s interest and love of reading and writing may be regarded as pivotal in literacy development.
That lesson planning by a teacher is a highly essential element of both teaching and learning systems. However, while planning, a competent teacher should consider the current level of children’s literacy development and, on its basis, include more simple or more difficult tasks in comparison with standard ones to help students. Moreover, it is essential to evaluate the material for lessons in advance. For instance, when teachers chose a book for the classroom, they should initially read it and ask themselves whether it matches the level of students’ literacy (Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education, 2019). In addition, according to their level, assessments may be modified for the understanding of the children’s comprehension level.
In general, discussions after the teacher’s reading aloud help to the comprehension level in the most accurate manner. Children’s answers help a teacher to understand whether they understand the material or not and correct lesson plans, chose other books, ask other questions, or explain particular parts in a text (Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education, 2019). In addition, if children substantially differ according to their level of literacy development, it is appropriate to create several learning groups. First of all, these groups are essential for children’s comfort as they get an opportunity to develop and learn in the most suitable rhythm (Teaching Strategies, n.d.). They will not feel frustration or anger concerning the fact that their peers learn more or less successfully, and these emotions will not negatively affect their interest in reading and writing.
References
Mississippi Public Broadcasting. (2020). MS Education Connection | Early Childhood Literacy. YouTube. Web.
SJSU School of Information. (2015). Early Childhood Literacy and Addressing the Whole Child Through Multi-Literacy Experiences. YouTube. Web.
Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Education. (2019). Promoting Literacy Skills—Read It Once, Read It Twice, Read It Once Again. YouTube. Web.
Teaching Strategies. (n.d.). Language, Literacy, Lounging, and Laughing: Rethink the Library. Web.