Children do not simply receive information…they transform it in order to understand it. To read and write is much more than “learning the alphabet” and…is not only limited to the learning of “instrumental” techniques.”
( The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Experience in Transformation, 3rd Edition)
Emergent Literacy first used by Maria Clay in 1996 refers to children's reading, writing, language and music development before any formal education.
Well designed Literacy Center provide opportunity for children to extend their reading, writing, speaking and understanding trough daily interaction. Provide reach source of natural elements and material, and comfortable furniture's. Provide own-library with books, magazines, home made books, portfolios, photos provide opportunity for children's to gain reading writing and speaking skills.
Literacy skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) develop by stages and grow rapidly trough early childhood years. In a well develop reach literacy center, children may have opportunity to practice literacy skills.
The Space
To provide an effective literacy center the first thing to consider is the space , the size of the center. A clear defined , separated area reduce the distractions from toddlers, and help them to focus.
The literacy Center should be located in a quiet area , with good source of lighting, natural lighting is better, and easily reachable organized with labeled shelves and a variety of books based on children's interest. Comfortable pillows, beanbags, chairs or a sofa provide a home based feelings for children. Puppets, props and clothing for story telling, or make believe games may provoke their interest to express their understanding. If the writing area is included to the center, we need to provide tables and chairs , magazines, and signs or pictures with letters but usually writing areas are divided, facilitated close to the reading area.
The literacy Center should be located in a quiet area , with good source of lighting, natural lighting is better, and easily reachable organized with labeled shelves and a variety of books based on children's interest. Comfortable pillows, beanbags, chairs or a sofa provide a home based feelings for children. Puppets, props and clothing for story telling, or make believe games may provoke their interest to express their understanding. If the writing area is included to the center, we need to provide tables and chairs , magazines, and signs or pictures with letters but usually writing areas are divided, facilitated close to the reading area.
Writing area with variety materials
Writing area provide opportunity for scribbles, and variety materials as puzzles with letters, picture cards, different types of letters ( wood , foam , stamps, cubes). Traffic signs, or other signs , children’s journals and different types of crayons, papers, envelops, white boards , pictures and photos also provoke their learning. Variety materials provoke children’s interest about books and writing, speaking, expressing themselves and extending vocabulary.
In the literacy center should focus on children’s with special needs, more space to access , large books, or focus on their background languages, or sign language. Cultural clothing or puppets are very good tool and another way to include children’s background or their work is to make a book including their names and faces on pages.
In the literacy center should focus on children’s with special needs, more space to access , large books, or focus on their background languages, or sign language. Cultural clothing or puppets are very good tool and another way to include children’s background or their work is to make a book including their names and faces on pages.
Printings/Posters/Sings
Posters, signs, flags , magazines provide opportunity to explore, to copy , to ask questions , provoke their thinking and understanding and to have experience and get familiar with printings.
Place to sing and make sounds
Music is another way to teach about inclusion and diversity, feelings, and provides new vocabulary and rhymes. A variety of cd-s and dvd-s for music activity, or blank cd-s for recording children’s voice is a good idea to provide language skills. Music is the best way children can express their feelings, is an easy communication tool, they can learn about different sounds, how to regulate themselves . Music provide opportunity to memorize the words easily. Materials provoke their interest and increase language and communication skills. Outdoor environment provide larger space for sounds and music . They can make their own instruments, explore nature sounds, animals, birds. Train, airplanes and machine sounds. Provide freedom for singing and rhymes.
Outdoor literacy area
Outdoor area extends children’s literacy skills as provide large space and freedom to create, discover and try. Chalkboards, signs, large guide books about animals and nature are good tools to extend their reading and writing , speaking and understanding skills. Provide outdoor opportunity read with nature light, to write on a different types of surface and to explore and learn new words about animals, plants , bugs, weather, different surface textures, and ability to try their level of voice and animal sounds.
Well designed Literacy Center provide opportunity for children to extend their reading, writing, speaking and understanding trough daily interaction. Provide reach source of natural elements and material, and comfortable furniture's. Provide own-library with books, magazines, home made books, portfolios, photos provide opportunity for children's to gain reading writing and speaking skills. The environment is a great tool to extend children's literacy skills, including indoor and outdoor. The adult’s role as a role model, nurturer and guider to support toddlers understanding , listening , reading and writing skills.
Sources:
Working With A Delightful Reggio Emilia Preschool In Hong Kong." Ww.foongkwin.com. Web. http://foongkwin.com/working-with-a-delightful-reggio-emilia-preschool-in-hong-kong
Sally. "Reggio Emmilia Inspired Color." Web. http://fairydustteaching.com/2013/01/reggio-emilia-color
"Reggio Emilia: The Alphabet." Web. http://fairydustteaching.com/2013/01/reggio-emilia-alphabet
Wonderful DIY Outdoor Music Wall / Station For Kids http://wonderfuldiy.com/wonderful-diy-outdoor-music-wall-station-for-kids
"Then and Now: Our Classroom Cubby Area." Http://myclassroomtransformation.blogspot.ca
new grade, new room, new considerations https://crayonswandsandbuildingblocks.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/new-grade-new-room-new-considerations
Just One Park: A Play Based Program." Letthechildrenplay.net. Web. http://www.letthechildrenplay.net/2012/03/just-one-spark-play-based-program
Bullard, Julie. Creating Environments for Learning - Birth to Age Eight. Second ed. Montana: Pearson, 2014. Print
Working With A Delightful Reggio Emilia Preschool In Hong Kong." Ww.foongkwin.com. Web. http://foongkwin.com/working-with-a-delightful-reggio-emilia-preschool-in-hong-kong
Sally. "Reggio Emmilia Inspired Color." Web. http://fairydustteaching.com/2013/01/reggio-emilia-color
"Reggio Emilia: The Alphabet." Web. http://fairydustteaching.com/2013/01/reggio-emilia-alphabet
Wonderful DIY Outdoor Music Wall / Station For Kids http://wonderfuldiy.com/wonderful-diy-outdoor-music-wall-station-for-kids
"Then and Now: Our Classroom Cubby Area." Http://myclassroomtransformation.blogspot.ca
new grade, new room, new considerations https://crayonswandsandbuildingblocks.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/new-grade-new-room-new-considerations
Just One Park: A Play Based Program." Letthechildrenplay.net. Web. http://www.letthechildrenplay.net/2012/03/just-one-spark-play-based-program
Bullard, Julie. Creating Environments for Learning - Birth to Age Eight. Second ed. Montana: Pearson, 2014. Print