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 1: Understand Language and Literacy Development

Guideline: Language and literacy development begins long before a child enters preschool or kindergarten. It is a process that begins at birth and varies from child to child. This Task provides resources aligned with the birth to three, three to five, and five to eight year age groups.

Resources

References

Language Development and Literacy

This link to the Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development explores the importance of language development and literacy. Though intended for Canadian educators the article's general content may be useful to educators of early learners in other countries.

Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research

This link is to a Center for Applied Linguistics article addressing raising bilingual children. This article explores â€œBilingualism and Language Delay, Bilingualism and Language Confusion, Language Learning and Television, and Bilingualism and Intelligence.

What is Language? What is Speech?

This link to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website describes the differences between language and speech. Teachers of early learners may find this resource helpful with parents or caregivers of a early learner experiencing a language or speech problem. A Spanish version of this resource is available.