Resources on Early Learning
Tip Sheets
Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care
Child care providers often ask, "How can I do more with literacy in my center?" Here are some simple ideas for creating a literacy environment.
What's included in a child care literacy environment?
- Pillows or low chairs where children can sit to "read" or look through books
- Picture books on low shelves that are easy for children to reach
- Posters, calendars, or decorations with letters and words to help children see that print has meaning
- Displays of children's work, including their beginning attempts to write
- Low tables and chairs where children can use drawing and writing supplies
- Small chalkboards, rubber stamps, magnetic letters, letter puzzles, and simple letter and word games
How can playtime help children learn to read and write?
- Play helps children become familiar with print if it includes making signs, lists, or labels.
- Pretend play involves children in making up their own stories. This can help them understand story structure, which will be important as they begin to read.
What does drawing have to do with learning to read and write?
- Using crayons and pencils helps develop motor skills needed to form letters.
- Drawing lets children tell stories before they can write.
What else can I do to help young children get ready for reading and writing?
- Read and tell stories to the children daily.
- Encourage children to act out stories they have heard.
- Make time daily for them to dictate ideas, stories, and letters, or to write their own.
- Sing songs and play rhyming games every day.
- Make time for the children to tell their own stories, and talk about stories they hear.
- Listen to them, and help them listen to each other.
To find out more about creating a literacy environment, visit these Web sites!
- Interactive Chat:Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/litenviron.htm - Learning to Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children, part 4: Continuum of Children's Development in Early Reading and Writing
http://www.naeyc.org/about/positions/pdf/PSREAD98.PDF - Language and Literacy Environments in Preschools
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1999/snow99.html - Ten Picture Book Authors Every Childcare Provider Should Know
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=174 - Fifty Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know (choose those suited to the children's ages)
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=42 - Charlotte Zolotow Award Complete List of Winners (choose those suited to the children's ages and interests)
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/zolotow.asp
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided in this Tip Sheet are intended for information purposes only and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We advise parents to seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding their child’s health or medical conditions.
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