Literacy Learning in the Early Years

Children's early experiences of literacy have a major influence on how they continue to learn as they grow older. Children enter early childhood programs and school with a wealth of knowledge and understandings of literacy. It is critical that early childhood professionals and teachers recognise and build on this learning.

Literacy Learning in the Early Years offers a practical introduction to literacy issues for early childhood professionals and teachers working with children aged 0-8, in childcare, preschool and school contexts.

The authors take a socio-cultural approach to literacy learning, emphasising the importance of understanding the various contexts in which young children are involved in literacy practices. They explore a range of literacy issues that early childhood professionals and teachers are facing in the 21st century. These issues include the role of play in literacy learning, how to use information communication technologies with young children and ways of introducing critical literacy. Literacy is understood broadly and readers are encouraged to explore a range of print and other media with children.

With chapters from both Australian and UK authors Literacy Learning in the Early Years is an ideal professional reference and student text.

a very useful introductory text to literacy development in early childhood. It is clearly written and accessible to the wide range of professionals working with young children as well as to teachers and parents. It will be a valuable text in training at initial and in-service levels on a wide range of courses.

Lesley Abbott, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Manchester Metropolitan University

this well written, comprehensive book combines many practical examples of learning to do literacy and suggestions for action, and all the while engages the reader with questions and starting points for reflection.

Susan Hill, Associate professor, The Centre for Studies in Literacy, University of South Australia

Contents

Acknowledgments

List of figures

List of samples

List of tables

Contributors

Introduction

Chapter 1: Learning to be Literate: A Socio-cultural Perspective

Caroline Barratt-Pugh

Chapter 2: The relationship between literacy Practices in the Home and other Early Childhood Contexts

Judith Rivalland

Chapter 3: Learning About Words, Sounds and Letters

Mary Rohl

Chapter 4: Play and Literacy

Nigel Hall and Anne Robinson

Chapter 5: Children's Literature and Literacy Learning

Carlisle Sheridan

Chapter 6: Information Communication Technologies, Literacies and Early Learning

Martyn Wild

Chapter 7: Negotiating Critical Literacies with Young Children

` Jennifer O'Brien and Barbara Comber

Chapter 8: Literacy in More than one language: Supporting Multiliteracies

Caroline B