Oral language is the
basis for literacy. All young children need learning experiences that help them
acquire and understand oral language. The foundations of language development
and literacy begin to be established at birth through interaction and
communication with adults and other children, at home, in the community, and at
school. To foster the language development necessary for literacy, the American
Pacific Kindergarten program is rich in language-oriented activities and
resources that are relevant to the lives of young children and that provide
opportunities for thinking, problem solving, and experimenting. Drama, music and
movement, visual arts, and media texts play an important role in furthering
children’s development of communication and literacy skills.
Since
children obtain their initial information about reading and writing by observing
and imitating adults, it is important that young children have contact with
adults who use language appropriately, who listen and respond to what they
communicate, who read to them frequently, and who provide a model by often
reading and writing themselves. Listening to stories and other kinds of texts
enables children to learn new words, extend their experiences, and become
familiar with the patterns, rhythms, and structures of language.
Children who are given
frequent opportunities to listen to and respond to stories, poems, and rhymes in
the classroom become motivated to discover the functions and features of print.
With encouragement and teacher guidance, they will begin to perform such
reading-related activities as repeating words, naming characters, and
identifying signs, labels, names, letters, and letter sounds. They will also
imitate writing activities by experimenting with writing notes, grocery lists,
numbers, and letters, and using symbols that are meaningful to them.
Children who are familiar
with sound-letter patterns should be encouraged in their attempts at independent
writing and reading. The teacher should be aware of the stages in the
development of oral language and of reading and writing skills, and should
provide appropriate materials and guided activities to ensure progress and
growth for each child.
suanbua
hotel changmai