Literacy Perspectives: Present

In Emergent literacy, we assume that the child has some knowledge about ___________________ before coming to school. (select ONE option)

• language

• language, reading and writing

• language and reading

• reading and writing

Answer explanation

In Emergent literacy, we assume that the child has some knowledge about language, reading and writing before coming to school.

Emergent literacy can be developed through contexts of the ... (select more than one option)

• school

• home

• community

• people

Answer explanation

Emergent literacy can be developed through contexts of theEmergent literacy can be developed through contexts of the home, school and community.

Select the options that illustrate emergent literacy on reading (you may select more than one option):

• young children listen their vocabulary can develop

• parents can try to discover a book that their children love

• child becomes more familiar with the storyline and the pages within the book, they will associate the words they are hearing with the words that they see on the page

• explaining definitions of words which might be around them in their everyday life can also strengthen vocabulary

Answer explanation

Reading in particular can be enhanced when parents try to discover a book that their children love e.g. routine at bedtime or during the day.

As a child becomes more familiar with the storyline and the pages within the book, they will associate the words they are hearing with the words that they see on the page.

One thing which can catalyze this process can be when parents point to words whilst they are being read - alternatively, explaining definitions of words which might be around them in their everyday life can also strengthen vocabulary.

Select the options that illustrate emergent literacy on writing (you may select more than one option):

• it must be reinforced through writing down letters, words or simple sentences

• children being naturally creative, even scribbling can allow them to become acquainted with the utensils that we use to communicate through writing

• children scribble with crayons, they learn that their marks have meaning

• with frequent consumption of books, or various words around them, they will try to replicate this in their writing work

Answer explanation

Writing skills do not necessarily have to be gathered through writing down letters, words or simple sentences.

With children being naturally creative, even scribbling can allow them to become acquainted with the utensils that we use to communicate through writing.

As children scribble with crayons, they will make meaning.

With the frequent consumption of books, or various words around them, they will try to replicate this in their writing work.

Which of these is true of shared reading? (You may select more than one option)

• Reading should be non-competitive and collaborative (mimicking parent-child lapbook reading activity)

• Modelled upon the framework for the natural acquisition of language and the supportive nature of shared learning

• Teacher or parent’s role is to induce rather than to teach directly (discussion should be a natural outcome of the sharing of the text)

• Develops a community of readers through cooperative and social skills and the use of varied learning modalities to interact with the text

Answer explanation

In shared reading, reading should be non-competitive and collaborative. It is modelled upon the framework for the natural acquisition of language and the supportive nature of shared learning. The teacher or parent’s role is to induce rather than to teach directly (discussion should be a natural outcome of the sharing of the text) and it develops a community of readers through cooperative and social skills and the use of varied learning modalities to interact with the text.

What is family literacy? (You may select more than one option)

• Family literacy is defined as ways families, children, and extended family members use literacy at home and in their community.

• Family literacy believes that literacy development begins at school and the school is responsible to involve parents in literacy development of the child.

• Family literacy involves factors beyond what is done at home between parents and children, not only what family members do with their children at home but also how cultural and social situations impact a child’s literacy development.

• Family literacy is multi-dimensional and includes family and community engagement with early literacy, family involvement, access to books, expanded learning, and mentoring partnerships.

Answer explanation

Family literacy is defined as ways families, children, and extended family members use literacy at home and in their community and believes that literacy development begins at home with the help of parents.

It stresses the importance of family involvement on student achievement and family literacy involves factors beyond what is done at home between parents and children, not only what family members do with their children at home but also how cultural and social situations impact a child’s literacy development.

Family literacy is multi-dimensional and includes family and community engagement with early literacy, family involvement, access to books, expanded learning, and mentoring partnerships.