Emergent Literacy(Marie Clay, 1966)

“Emergent literacy assumes that the child acquires some knowledge about language,

reading, and writing before coming to school. Literacy development begins early in life and

is ongoing,” (Morrow, 2009, p. 24).

Alexandra H. Allman

Components of Emergent Literacy: Behaviors

Children:• like to explore• are inquisitive• are problem solvers• develop fine/gross motor skills• exhibit listening behaviors

Theories:• Constructivist – the teacher is

the facilitator and will guide them to the knowledge; students will learn through social and collaborative activities that allow them to explore.

• Motivational – engage students in activities that will make them think - motivate them to be inquisitive, to apply problem solving

Practices in the Classroom: Behavior

• Blocks and Puzzles (exploring, problem solving, fine/gross motor skills)

• Read alouds: read stories to students out loud – students are able to “identify behaviors associated with effective listening” – social communication about the book afterwards helps promote language learning and development (Jalong, 2010, p. 6)

• Centers with concrete objects for students to explore; some examples are:– a science center that has dinosaur bones for a dinosaur theme– Math center has manipulatives for students to explore– Writing and art centers with a variety of supplies

• Reading a variety of texts out loud: students can use their inquisitiveness to ask questions and be problem solvers by predicting solutions

• Challenge students – promotes motivation (Morrow, 2009)

Components of Emergent Literacy: Observations of World

Children:• are assertive and egocentric• are social• develop sense of humor• are aware of their culture• developing conscience (what’s

good versus bad)• can persist longer at tasks and

can plan and carry out tasks from one day to the next

Theories:• Schema (Cognitive) – Children

come to school aware of culture and background experiences pertaining only to their families. They becoming aware of what is good versus bad based on experiences in their home or what they see on t.v.

• Constructivist – promote social behavior and work with students behaviors in zone of proximal development – some students will be more mature and ready for certain activities and learning situations than others.

Practices in the Classroom: Observations of the World

• Centers – students can socially work in areas together that help promote literacy skills: some tasks can begin one day and students can continue the next day

• Jobs – assigning jobs to students to develop assertiveness in a positive way

• Culture – display students’ different cultures around classroom through pictures, books, and activities – allow students to be experts in their culture

• Have students role play – good behavior versus bad behavior

• Give students choices – gives them responsibility and control (Morrow, 2009)

Components of Early Literacy: Home/School Environment

Defined:• What children are learning in

the classroom should be reinforced at home.

• “Family members who care for children are children’s first teachers,” (Morrow, 2009, p. 379).

Theory: Constructivist• Students are learning naturally

at home and should blend with the classroom (Baker, 1999)

• They may be learning socially with family and therefore should be learning socially with teachers and peers

• Teachers and parents should be guiding students toward learning using the zone of proximal development (Vygotsky)

Practices at Home and the Classroom

• Read alouds – promotes language, writing, and reading- talk about book

• Visuals of students’ culture in the classroom (reinforce what is important at home)

• Environmental Print• A newsletter communicating to parents what is happening in the

classroom• Echo reading – teacher or parent reads and students repeat back

(Kuhn, 2003)• Using songs, poems• Writing lists – grocery list, list of students in classroom• Trips around the community

(NAEYC, 1998)

Components of Emergent Literacy: Cognitive Processes

• The way one thinks• Learning alphabetic principle,

phonemic awareness, and phonics

• “Cognitive processes are intimately linked with one’s history as a sociocultural being, as well as with the immediate contextual variables of the situation in which the cognitive processing (such as reading) occurs… Context is an integral part of thinking.” (Teale, 2003, p. 27)

Theories:• Cognitive – using prior

knowledge, schema• Constructivist – developing

cognitive skills at home (background/culture) and at school

Practices in the Classroom:Cognitive Processes

• Scaffolding – whole group and guided reading• Centers that build on background knowledge• Integrate cultures – through pictures and

literature and centers• Zone of Proximal Theory – students should be

working on this level; the level students can perform on with help from adult until independent

• Students read independently to practice new skills

Components of Emergent Literacy: Language Processes

Defined:• Language is the

understanding of the concept of a word

• Children will “construct – or reconstruct – language as they learn (Morrow, 2009)

Theory:• Cognitive – students’

language develops through activities

• Constructivist – acquiring language through active and social process

• Behaviorist – will learn through imitation

Practices in the Classroom: Language Processes

• Buddy reading• Sharing (show and tell)• Teacher modeling• Centers (i.e. house center)• Shared reading• Collaborative discussion (whole group or

small group)• Role playing