According to the article "The Essentials of Early Literacy Instruction", the development of reading and writing concept skills is a dynamic process, meaning the process is constantly changing. In order to support this dynamic process of early literacy, the article provides essential early literacy teaching strategies. Also known as mediation strategies, teachers create ways to extend learning and build upon content knowledge. Effective early literacy instruction includes providing children with developmentally appropriate materials, environments, experiences and support. In addition to effective teaching strategies, play is also essential to making literacy activities meaningful.
The strategies listed in the article include: rich teacher talk, storybook reading, phonological awareness activities, alphabetic activities, support for emergent reading, support for emergent writing, shared book experience and content-focused activities. These teaching strategies are effective in different ways. For example, rich teacher talk can be most effective in large group activities, like read alouds. Phonological awareness activities can be effective for small group activities, specifically clapping out sounds to the children as they spell out words.
In addition to the early literacy teaching strategies, children can develop reading and writing skills through play. Children are exposed to environmental print through play, and children's narrative skills are practiced through play. One example of play as effective literacy development is through dramatic play. In the article two children are playing in a restaurant. The children pick a restaurant that is familiar (environmental print) and the conversation begins with, "Can I take your order?" Verbal and written communication skills are being practiced as well as the children talk back and forth and one of them writes down the customer's order.
Early literacy instruction is essential for children's development of reading and writing. It's important for teachers to understand and implement the teaching strategies in order for children to make meaning of early literacy.
I agree that while some strategies can be used in all aspects of the classroom(like teacher talk, which can enhance both group or individual conversations) but others can be most effective when used in specific ways. You gave a great example of using phonological awareness in smaller groups as the teacher can provide more individualized attention to each child present.
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