Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood

Abstract

Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood provides educators with an integrated approach to language and literacy learning in early childhood. Written by a team of leading academics in the field, it explores how children learn to talk, play using language, become literate and make meaning-from birth through to preschool and the early school years. Emphasising the importance of imagination, play and the creative arts in language learning, the authors address a wide range of contemporary issues, including digital literacies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. Taking a broad and inclusive world view, the book highlights the impact of diverse socioeconomic, language and cultural backgrounds on young children's language and literacy development, and shows how early childhood teachers can effectively partner with parents and caregivers to help children learn through and about language. The book connects theory and current research to practice by providing case studies, interviews, reflective questions, clear links to the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum, and a rich array of practical and creative activities for use in early childhood environments. Illuminating and accessible, this is an invaluable resource for pre-service and practising early childhood teachers alike.

Picture Books, Imagination and Play: Pathways to Positive Reading Identities for Young Children

“…Early childhood educators are partners in this journey, an important part of which is learning, through play, to communicate and to make meaning in many modes of literacy [7]. Picture books are a significant and valuable resource on the journey, and children gain much from engaging with books and identifying with the characters within [8,9], especially when those characters are involved in playing and imagining.…”

“…Furthermore, being read to by an adult involves a particular relational context for interaction, communication and imagination that is different from the other relational contexts that are typically part of children's lives, such as mealtimes, getting ready for the day or other daily routines. The language used in picture books, and the thinking stimulated, as well as the experience of their multimodal features, make them valuable contributors to young children's language and early literacy development [8,9].…”

Methods of Correction by Speech Therapy in Establishing of Verbal Communication for Non-Verbal Children in Pre-School Age

“…Jābūt attīstītai kustību jomai, kā arī sociālajai jomai, kas rezultātā noved pie zīmju sistēmas apguves. Ja tiek apgūta zīmju sistēma, tad var veidoties lingvistiskā joma, kura ietver motoro un sensoro komponentu, ar nosacījumu, ka bērnam nav kustību traucējumu un tiek attīstīta sociālā joma (Evans, 2007;Hoff, 2009;Ewig, Callow, & Rushton, 2016).…”

The Pedagogical Practices of an Immigrant Parent: Maintaining Heritage Language in the Home Context

“…Play often motivates children to expand their language knowledge and practice their literacy skills (Ewing et al, 2016). One of our favorite language games was "composing" stories using Chinese character blocks.…”