How Can Sharing Children 's Literature With Children Help Develop Their Language And Literacy Skills?

Children have different characteristics and different interests that attract them. A well-designed literacy environment should engage and attract children on at least two different modalities (Edwards & Willis, 2000). This is so because, as the authors note, "it is natural for young children to seek to master and use many alternative 'literacies,' or avenues of symbolic representation offered by

Classrooms are different today from those of previous generations, they have become communities of learners where students assume more responsibility for learning. As opposed to a place where the teacher is in charge the modern class room there is often a hum of students, talking about books they are reading and working together in small groups using digital as well as print text. The students are more culturally and linguistically diverse, many have English as a second language (ESL). This Critical- reflective essay will explore using the four resource model developed by Luke and Freebody, focusing on; how young children learn to read, the four roles within the resources model are Code breaker, text user, text participant and text analyst. This essay will also articulate the understanding of the three phases of reading and writing development. Phase one, experimental reading and writing. Phase two, early reading and writing and phase three, transitional reading and writing. This understanding will then be applied to an early years setting including and application of strategies for cultural differences.

Learning provision for literacy development is important for pupils for several reasons. When pupils are developing their language skills they are learning to communicate with others in a variety of ways through speaking reading and writing. The three areas of language interact with each other to promote the child’s self expression and imagination. Children need to be given opportunity’s to use and extend their language in all subject areas so they can develop higher level thinking. [ Louise burnham, Brenda Baker,2010,pg206]

C.S Lewis wrote an essay titled On Three Ways of Writing for Children. A highly acclaimed author of children’s fantasy books-widely known for his series The Chronicles of Narnia- Lewis goes into detail about the three ways children’s stories can be written. This essay will examine these three categories in relation to C.S Lewis’s book entitled Prince Caspian.

Learning to read and write as a child is an experience that all can relate to. The average child learns to read and write at the early ages of three and four. Developing literacy at an early age is crucial to academic development as well as to performance in life. Early development can be just what a child needs to stimulate their minds, which in turn is assisting in the evolution of their future. The early and latter stages of development in a child’s literacy journey are the makings for their reading and writing skills. It also plays part in their analysis of obstacles as well as their developed or problematic literacy future. A child

Today, children’s literature has stories that are focused on children and offer real life views and vivid fantasy alike. Children’s literature has progressed from simply oral folktales to the child focused stories we see today. All literature started with storytelling. Our ancestors told stories for comfort, instruction, entertainment and to teach their culture and religion. Storytelling has been a huge part of cultures all around the world. In ancient times, there was no difference between children's literature and adult literature. Children listened to the same stories that their parents listened to.

Competence and confidence in literacy, including competence in the three major areas, reading, writing, speaking and listening, are essential for progress in all areas of the curriculum. To broaden and enhance children’s literacy skills, opportunities need to be given by providing them with a wide range of different contexts in which to use and practice there skills. With reference to the aims of the Primary Framework for Literacy ‘To support and

Book-sharing experiences expose children to new concepts and vocabulary that they may not encounter in informal conversations. Children may use this new knowledge in their creative writing, “trying out” the words they have heard used in the books. When storybooks containing figurative language are shared and discusses, children are able to develop an understanding of the similes and metaphors.

Opportunities for sharing books and rhymes – Looking at books with adults seems to promote children’s languages. All settings should have a place where the children can look at books independently or share the book with an adult. The area needs to be warm, cosy and comfortable. The books need to be attractive and displayed so that the children can access them easily. As well as sharing books, language rich environments also provide opportunities for children to learn a use new rhymes and songs. Rhymes and songs are known to encourage children to vocalise.

Literature is at the heart of the Australia English Curriculum and is integral to the teaching of language and literacy. Discuss how the children’s literature can be used to develop an understanding of the components of the language?

a) Hook Books have had the power to start or end wars, free or enslave people, or change the course of history for better or for worse. Throughout history, books have served as means for people to communicate their experiences and knowledge. Literacy skill begins at a very early age when children are most vulnerable. Children’s literature is crucial in the development of vocabulary, comprehension, and knowledge building skills, but most importantly, it shapes the mind and the cognitive process of young children. b)

Literacy is important for young children. It’s so much a child has to know before entering kindergarten. The Essentials of Early Literacy Instruction stressed the importance of teaching literacy. Early literacy is an emerging g set of relationships between reading and writing. Today a lot of terms have been referred to for literacy development for preschoolers the term that’s mostly used is early literacy. The term was chosen because the earliest forms of literacy development are forming reading and writing concepts. Linking early literacy to play is the most effective way to for young children to learn. There are many ways educators can teach literacy activities such as rich teacher talk, storybook reading, phonologic awareness activities, alphabet activities, support for emergent writing, shared book experience, integrated, and content-focused activities, Young children understand print by oral and written language. Asking students to help read a book and turn the page help them understand the basics of a book. There are at least three critical content categories in early literacy: oral language comprehension, phonological awareness, and print knowledge. Children need to learn phonological awareness, alphabet letter knowledge, the function of written language, a sense of meaning making texts, and vocabulary. Alphabetic writing is quite difficult once children understand the language of their community they learn which words stand for which concepts in that language.

Literature if used correctly can enhance a child’s life. It can become a valuable tool in helping children to understand their home, communities and the world in which they live. Through literature children’s vocabulary, imaginations, and self understanding is built. Children should be exposed to literature that is age appropriate and within the context of learning respect for themselves and others by the diversity of the books. My literature plan is based upon multicultural diversity which reinforces reading readiness, read-along that emphasis multicultural songs and rhymes, build self esteem through art, music and movement and responses to literature.

Reading is a skill often taken for granted but it is essential in order to progress in life. For a child being able to read well helps them learn new things, give ideas and enables use of imagination. National literacy trust (2015) suggests that children’s early language skills can have a major impact on a child’s development of literacy skills. Five-year olds with poor language and literacy have a higher risk of underachieving at age seven and beyond. Reading skills encourage more opportunities in life and it can affect a child’s wellbeing if they do not achieve this effectively (Finnegan,2015).

As children interact with their environment and the people around them, their linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities develop further. Through these interactions, children construct knowledge by organizing and classifying the new knowledge based on prior learning experiences (Brown, & Lee, 2012). Vygotsky believed social interactions influence both intellectual and language development, and he identified social interactions as the key method in developing new understandings. Therefore, providing books and reading experiences which include social interactions will enhance literacy development (Traverse, & Traverse, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to explain the importance of possessing knowledge of child developmental theory when selecting appropriate children’s books, and explain why considering language development, social and emotional response, and cognitive ability are important. The paper will conclude with issues and insights regarding Reading Readiness and the impact of gender on book choice.