Definition of Emergent LiteracyDefinition of Emergent Literacy

Refers to the fact that young children learn Refers to the fact that young children learn about books, print, and writing long before about books, print, and writing long before they can read and write or before going to they can read and write or before going to school. This term was first used in 1966 by school. This term was first used in 1966 by Marie Clay, and developed further from the Marie Clay, and developed further from the 80s. Emergent literacy also emphasizes the 80s. Emergent literacy also emphasizes the relationship between reading writing, relationship between reading writing, listening and speaking.listening and speaking.

Emergent literacyEmergent literacy

From 0-4/5 yearsFrom 0-4/5 years Timing established by nurture, not nature Timing established by nurture, not nature

(how is this different from language (how is this different from language development?)development?)

Current emphasis is 1) preparation for Current emphasis is 1) preparation for kindergarten 2) preventing academic & kindergarten 2) preventing academic & reading difficulty, ultimately academic reading difficulty, ultimately academic failure. failure.

Some indicators of emergent literacy Some indicators of emergent literacy developmentdevelopment

Pretend writing.Pretend writing. Pretend reading from favorite books.Pretend reading from favorite books. Listening to stories.Listening to stories. Producing fictional narratives.Producing fictional narratives. Detecting rhymes.Detecting rhymes. Identifying major elements of a book.Identifying major elements of a book. Acting out stories.Acting out stories. Pointing out familiar words in the environment.Pointing out familiar words in the environment. Producing nursery rhymes.Producing nursery rhymes.

Components of emergent literacyComponents of emergent literacy

Oral languageOral language Emergent writing (pretend writing).Emergent writing (pretend writing). Print knowledgePrint knowledge Alphabet knowledgeAlphabet knowledge Phonological awareness.Phonological awareness.

What puts a child at-risk for What puts a child at-risk for emergent literacy challenges?emergent literacy challenges?

Intrinsic factors- Intrinsic factors- Extrinsic factorsExtrinsic factors Interaction between intrinsic & extrinsic Interaction between intrinsic & extrinsic

factors.factors.

Group activity (in pairs)Group activity (in pairs)

Think of one negative intrinsic and one Think of one negative intrinsic and one negative extrinsic factor and try to figure out negative extrinsic factor and try to figure out a possible way they may interact. a possible way they may interact.

Think of one positive intrinsic and one Think of one positive intrinsic and one positive extrinsic factor & try to figure out positive extrinsic factor & try to figure out how they may interact. how they may interact.

Emergent literacy: disturbing factsEmergent literacy: disturbing facts

50% of American children enter school with a risk 50% of American children enter school with a risk factor that will affect their performance (e.g., factor that will affect their performance (e.g., abuse, poverty, etc).abuse, poverty, etc).

0nly 24% 40nly 24% 4thth graders are proficient readers. graders are proficient readers. 37% of 437% of 4thth graders read below grade level. graders read below grade level. Proficient children by ethnicity: white: 41%, Proficient children by ethnicity: white: 41%,

Hispanic: 15%; Black: 13%.Hispanic: 15%; Black: 13%. See: National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2004See: National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2004

A poor reader in 1A poor reader in 1stst grade will remain a poor grade will remain a poor reader in 4reader in 4thth grade (probability of .88) grade (probability of .88)

Some evidence-based approaches Some evidence-based approaches to helping children develop emergent to helping children develop emergent

literacy skillsliteracy skills

Storybook reading intervention.Storybook reading intervention. Print-rich environmentsPrint-rich environments Literacy-rich play settingsLiteracy-rich play settings Mediated writingMediated writing Formal curricularFormal curricular