Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education
Summary
Language is “at the heart of the human experience” (Henniger, 2009). Language and literacy development are closely related. Language development is the verbal and usually progresses faster than literacy. Literacy is the written form of language.
When children are exposed to literature at an early age, they are more likely to enjoy reading when they are older. When adults read to children, they reinforce that literacy is good. They also help children learn vocabulary and how language works on a syntax level.
Singing, finger plays and interaction are good for infants and toddlers. It helps them learn cadence and rhythm in a fun way that is easier to remember. One-on-one reading time is important for all age groups; even older children will find it helpful. Older children also need to have time to read and write on their own.
When children are exposed to literature at an early age, they are more likely to enjoy reading when they are older. When adults read to children, they reinforce that literacy is good. They also help children learn vocabulary and how language works on a syntax level.
Singing, finger plays and interaction are good for infants and toddlers. It helps them learn cadence and rhythm in a fun way that is easier to remember. One-on-one reading time is important for all age groups; even older children will find it helpful. Older children also need to have time to read and write on their own.
Introduction
Language and literacy development, while closely related, can be understood as two domains for development in early childhood. Language development is the vocal area, which can also include hand signals, used for communication. Literacy development is the ability to interpret written symbols and to use those symbols to communicate.
As children grow, they go through several stages of language and literacy learning. The following guidelines give an outline of the general development of children. It is important to realize that each individual child’s development may happen earlier or later than what is listed.
As children grow, they go through several stages of language and literacy learning. The following guidelines give an outline of the general development of children. It is important to realize that each individual child’s development may happen earlier or later than what is listed.
Age | Milestone |
---|---|
Birth to 1 month | Cries to express needs |
3 to 4 months | Babbles and coos |
8 to 10 months | Understands words |
1 year | First words |
2 years | Know about 50 words Two word sentences emergent |
3 years | Three to four word sentences Correctly uses past tense |
4 years | Plays with words Uses talk to solve some conflicts |
5 years | Knows up to 5000 words Dictates stories |
6 years | Learning to write Understands conventions of conversation |
7 years | Likes to write own stories Spelling lags behind reading |
8 years | Masters reading Written stories are more complex, detailed |
Table adapted from Henniger (2009) (pg 105, 107, 111)
Henniger (2009) notes that “language and literacy competence are at the heart of the human experience” (p. 415). Language allows us to communicate with each other. It is what allows us to build relationships, resolve problems and express our feelings. Literacy allows us to communicate across generations. It also allows us to communicate experiences to others that they might not ever have. As a culture grows in its literacy, it grows in its ability to advance, much like a person who grows in literary competence is able to gain knowledge from those that came before her.
Without language development, social and emotional development would be stunted as children would be unable to learn acceptable verbal ways of expressing their feelings.
Mathematical concepts and other cognitive growth would be limited to visual understandings. As we grow in our language and literacy development, words take the place of pictures as our basic thought process. Those words allow us to engage in and express our abstract thoughts more clearly than images can.
Language is the way through which culture is transmitted. Developing language and literacy knowledge in children will give them the best tools to grow in their understanding of the world.
Henniger (2009) notes that “language and literacy competence are at the heart of the human experience” (p. 415). Language allows us to communicate with each other. It is what allows us to build relationships, resolve problems and express our feelings. Literacy allows us to communicate across generations. It also allows us to communicate experiences to others that they might not ever have. As a culture grows in its literacy, it grows in its ability to advance, much like a person who grows in literary competence is able to gain knowledge from those that came before her.
Without language development, social and emotional development would be stunted as children would be unable to learn acceptable verbal ways of expressing their feelings.
Mathematical concepts and other cognitive growth would be limited to visual understandings. As we grow in our language and literacy development, words take the place of pictures as our basic thought process. Those words allow us to engage in and express our abstract thoughts more clearly than images can.
Language is the way through which culture is transmitted. Developing language and literacy knowledge in children will give them the best tools to grow in their understanding of the world.