What is Emergent Literacy?

How do children learn to read and write? We know they don't wake up one day and suddenly know how to read a book from cover to cover. These skills develop and emerge over time. It is important for parents and educators to understand the dynamic of emergent literacy. Becoming literate, as expressed by David Lancy who is Editor of Children's Emergent Literacy, "occupies every waking moment throughout childhood" (Lancy, 1994, p. 2). Children's exposure to literacy before they are able to read and write is what is considered emergent literacy. Children are immersed in literacy-related activities more often than we realize. Over time, children's reading and writing skills emerge from exposure to the many modes of literacy.

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Did You Know: Children raised in homes that promote family literacy grow up to be better readers and do better in school than children raised in homes where literacy is not promoted.

Makes sense, right? Well, now the question is:

How can we best foster emergent literacy in our home?

Read, Read and Read!
Reading out loud to children is a major way of teaching literacy. By reading to your child, they are developing skills called "concepts of print" where they learn how to read a book - left to right, front cover to back, pausing at punctuation, etc.

"Naming Walk"
Take a walk indoors or outdoors and name every item you come to -dog, chair, car, tree, etc. If you come to a sign with words (STOP, Speed Limit, etc.) read those signs as well.

Library Visit
Go to the local library and let your child pick out a book. While you read to them, let them turn the pages for you (another critical concept of print).

Be a Literacy Model!
Children best learn by seeing their parents do. Read the newspaper, books, and texts that are of interest to you. Invite your child to sit with you while you write the shopping list. Model writing by creating directions, chores around the home, telephone numbers, and reminders to other family members.

Create a Photo Album
Make an album by pasting photos or magazines pictures on construction paper. Write captions or record your child's story about the pictures. This practice shows children that print has meaning.

Name Connections
With your child, look for things in your home that begin with the first letter of his/her name. "C is for Carson - What else starts with C? Cat, can, coffee maker, couch..."

Rhyme Time 
Make up words that rhyme with your child's name - it's okay if they're silly! Then, continue with rhymes of other family members' names.

(evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu)

Discussing and modeling learning opportunities in the home can give children the foundational support they need for language and literacy development.

Learning to love reading starts at an early age and often starts at home. By making the effort to support, encourage and engage multiple aspects of literacy in your home, both children and other family members will enjoy reading and writing together for the rest of their lives. Provide your child with positive experiences, and their love for literacy (and learning) will continue to grow.


References:

Center For Applied Linguistics (n.d). Literacy activities in the home. Washington, DC.

Lancy, D.F. (Ed.) (1994).Children’s emergent literacy. Westport, CT: Praeger.

NCLD. (n.d) Promoting family literacy; Raising ready readers.