Early Language & Literacy KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Early Language and Literacy KnowledgeBase is an online resource supporting language and literacy development in early learners from birth through age eight. Its focus is to support parents and caregivers in helping early learners with their language and literacy development, and teachers in enhancing their instruction for early learners from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3.

Task 2: A Literacy-Rich Learning Environment

Guideline: As noted at the Teach More/Love More website, the characteristics of a print-rich literacy environment include the following:

"Children are surrounded by oral language, books and print.
Adults share their ideas and feelings with children and encourage them to express themselves.
Children see adults reading for pleasure and a function of their daily routine and activities.
Adults value children's emergent reading and writing experiences. They accept children's efforts without correcting mistakes or providing direct instruction.
Children learn about the world through talking and reading, refining these skills as they develop.
Children's knowledge of language is built on their own exploratory skills to interesting topics that is supported by skilled teachers and a well thought out curriculum."

This task provides resources on providing a print-rich environment in the home or caregiver's environment.

resources

TOOLS

Pacific Language Early Readers

This link to a Pacific Regional Education Laboratory website contains a set of Early Reader books in nine Pacific languages and English written at the K-3 level. Though intended for Pacific language early readers, early educators in other states may find the list of books useful.

PRACTICAL TIPS

Bulletin Boards and Other Displays

Bulletin boards and other displays in the classroom support the print rich environment. This link to the Learn NC website provides practical tips for using bulletin boards and other displays in the classroom. Though intended for North Carolina teachers, educators of early learners in other states may find the content useful.

Creating a Learning Environment for Young Children

This link to the U.S. Department of Education publication Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers, Childcare, and Family Providers provides information on creating a learning environment for young children. As noted at its website, this guide "draws from scientifically based research about what pre-school teachers and childcare providers can do to help children develop their language abilities, increase their knowledge, become familiar with books and other printed materials, learn letters and sounds, recognize numbers and learn to count."

Creating a Print Rich Environment

This link is to a Frederick County (Maryland) Public Schools guide for early educators on creating a print rich environment in their classrooms. The guide was authored by district's curriculum specialist for early education Shari Ostrow Scher, now its supervisor of early education. The guide is offered as an example for educators of early learners. Within the Frederick County Public Schools early education is identified as Pre-K through grade 2.

Literacy: Creating a Print-Rich Environment

This article from the Fall 2003 issue of the Texas Child Care Journal provides practical tips on creating a print-rich environment for preschool caregivers and teachers.

Word Walls

This article from the Reading Rockets website explains how word walls can be organized and used in the classroom.

REFERENCES

Preschool Curriculum: What is in it for Children and Teachers

This Albert Shanker Institute prepared document offers suggestions on enhancing oral language, pre-literacy, mathematics, and science instruction in preschool. Educators of early learners may find its content helpful.