Creating a Child Friendly Literacy Environment
- There are crayons, pencils, and paper for children’s writing and drawing.
- Children see print used in the environment such as calendars, or labeled containers.
- Picture books are located where children can easily reach them and are available throughout the day.
- Children are read to every day, either alone or in a group.
- Each day includes at least one planned literacy activity to introduce letters, sounds and print.
- There are materials available for pretend play, such as empty cereal boxes, packaging and labels.
- You encourage the playful use of language through nursery rhymes and songs.
- Children dictate stories to you so that they can see their own words in print.
- You ask questions about the children’s daily experiences (i.e. “What did you do today?”)
- Projects and trips through the year include early language and literacy experiences (i.e. a visit to the library, visiting the supermarket, noticing signs during a walk).
- Infants and toddlers have sturdy board books with easy-to-turn pages. And you know the importance of repeating their sounds gently back to them.
