Literacy is the child’s own emergence into the
global world of speaking and listening, reading and writing. Preschool teachers learn what books and
activities to use with children through planning lessons and materials to
enhance culturally developmentally age appropriate literacy experiences.
Remember each child learns information through
different activities and not at the same time or pace. Here are some literacy activities that can be
used in an early childhood classroom.
1. Survey
children on lesson plan topics and chart answers (e.g., favorite fruit, name of
class pet). Write words of survey
accompanied with picture, if possible and children’s name showing tally marks.
2. Make
a list of words related to weekly lesson plan.
Post with pictures throughout the learning environment in multiple
languages for children to write on their work and so forth. Record and spell the words with pictures on
ring so children can flip for word needed.
3. Write
a poem or story on chart paper highlighting key words with different color
markers accompanied with photos. While
reading, move finger under the words and pause for children to read highlighted
words.
4. Talk
with children about what they created (e.g., artwork, construction built) and
record word for word dictation and date stated.
5. Read
a story related to lesson plan topic then let children come up with a song to
record. Write the song (sung to familiar
tone), practice then record.
6. Record
children’s stories on tape. If you have
access video-record stories that can be played on computer at later date.
7. Create
class book on related lesson plan topics where each child is given the
opportunity to draw pictures and record dictation. Compile with cover page, date and then
display.
8. Read
bilingual books to children for acceptance of dual language learners to home
vocabulary. Some books are
a. Abuelita Full of Life (Costales,
A., 2007).
b. Margaret and Margarita (Reiser,
L., 1993)
c. Red is Beautiful (John,
R., 2003)
d. Dragonfly Kites (Highway,
T., 2002)
e. Bebe’ Goes Shopping (Elva,
S. M., 2006)
9. Have
children listen for rhyming words in a story by becoming “Rhyme Word Detectives”. Here are some books to use
a. Grumpy Gloria (Dewdney,
A., 2006)
b. “Fire! Fire!” Said Mrs. McGuire (Martin,
R., 2006)
c. Is Your Mamas a Llama?
(Guarino, D., Kellogg, S., 1997).
10. Place
environmental print labels of materials in multiple language (add photo, if
possible).
11. Write
children’s name on sentence strip for recognition of different activities. Read, Harry
and the Dinosaurs Go to School (Whybrow, I., 2006) and end activity with children
practice writing their name from sentence strip and so forth.
Yes, the month of September is been designated as National Literacy Month but these and
other literacy ideas must be incorporated throughout the year. It is important that children have an
appreciation for all aspects of literacy that will assist in becoming
productive citizens of society.
