Required Readings
Helping young children learn language and literacy: Birth through kindergarten. Chapters 2-3
Birckmayer, J., Kennedy, A., & Stonehouse, A. (2009). Using Stories Effectively with Infants and Toddlers. YC: Young Children, 64(1), 42–47.
Wilkins, J., & Terlitsky, A. B. (2015). Addressing Young Children’s Literacy and Behavioral Needs Through Family Literacy Programs. YC: Young Children, 70(4), 26–31.
Review Zero to Three resources in Early Literacy
Assignment 1 – 1 page
While those working with infants, toddler and preschoolers should familiarize themselves with the NYS Early Learning Guidelines, we need to focus on what is age-appropriate for each age group. View the videos of dramatic play and caregiver extension. Consider the developmental stages of the children, learning environment, the materials, and the potential for language development through this play. Discuss what you see, what strategies are being used, and why is is critical for educators to understand how literacy develops as described in Chapter 2. Listen for extending language. What strategies are effective? What do you notice about the relationships that are being developed?
Watch the two short clips of fathers interacting with their children. What do you see? How do these interactions impact the development of language and emergent literacy? Discuss the importance of partnering with families as children develop emergent literacy skills.
Clip One: Dad and Son Have an Adorable Conversation
Clip Two: Using Books/Dad and Child (Video Clip 2.7
Clip Three: Caregiver Response
Clip Four: Dramatic Play: Book and Housekeeping Play
Clip Five: Dramatic Play (Connor’s Hair Salon)
Assignment 2
develop a brochure that you could distribute to families in the community. Be sure to apply what you learned in the readings and outside research and include at least 3 professional sources. Microsoft office has a number of templates to help you get started. Try searching PowerPoint, or look for a free outline online. Your brochure should address at least 4 of the topics/guiding questions below:
Milestones and Typical Behavior: What are the typical reading-related behaviors of a child between 2 months and 2.5 years?
· Preparing to Read and Write: What things can families with young children do to prepare them to be able to read and write?
· Sharing Books: What skills are important for families to emphasize when they read books to children? What did you learn about diverse family contexts that you might want to integrate for the families in your program ?
· Cultural Awareness: Based on the local population, age of the children, or special needs, are there books you could recommend? Your list may include some books provided as examples in the text, but at least half should be based on your own research. Provide rationale for why they were selected.
· Activities: Using the examples provide in the appendix in your text as a guide , research to locate 2-3 new activities that might appeal to families in your community . (Please do not copy the examples provided.)
· Digital tools: What are the recommendations regarding these tools?
· Early Childhood Programs: For families looking for child care or preschool programs, what recommendations could you provide? What should families look for in the environment related to language and literacy ( for each age group)?
· The brochure should look professional, include citations and references.
