Early Literacy Skills Spotlight Series

Starting this week, I will be sharing an early literacy skill each week along with suggestions for how singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing can be incorporated to enhance learning.

First off, what is early literacy?

Early literacy is what children know about communication, language, verbal and non-verbal, reading and writing before they can actually read and write.  Oral Language is the foundation of all later literacy:  early literacy and reading.  This includes listening, speaking, and communication skills.
Source: www.everychildreadytoread.org, www.earlylit.net

There are six components or skills of early literacy:
Narrative Skills
Phonological Awareness
Vocabulary
Print Awareness
Letter Knowledge
Print Motivation

These are things that children's library staff across the country learn and talk about and share in storytime programming.  I like to share this info with my parents, but also simplify it to show them that there are things that they can be doing with their children every single day.  I'm hoping to accomplish the same things with these weekly postings.  There is also no shortage of information that can be found online.  Two great sites are cited above.  Here is an article in School Library Journal that also talks about the six skills. http://www.slj.com/2008/11/opinion/first-steps/the-really-big-six-early-literacy-skills/#_

Always remember that you are your child's best teacher.  You know what they love and enjoy.  Use that knowledge when sharing books and especially when singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing.  Make it a fun and positive experience.  Show them that books, reading, and learning are special and enjoyable.