supporting literacy development at different ages and...

NWT Literacy Council

Supporting Literacy Development at

Different Ages and Stages

(Based on the Nipissing Developmental Screen)

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Literacy development at different ages and stages

The first six years of their lives are very important in children’s development. During that time, children’s brains develop at an amazing rate. Parents and other family members have a key role to play in early development, as their children’s first, and most important, teachers.

We used to believe that literacy development belonged mostly in the school, when children learned to read and write. Formal teaching of reading and writing still happens at school, but literacy doesn’t begin when children learn the letters of the alphabet, or write their name, or go to school. The foundation for literacy development begins much earlier – some people say it starts in the womb. It happens through children interacting with adults and older children. It happens through their play. And it happens through their experiences with literacy resources, such as stories, songs, rhymes, crayons and paper.

Early literacy development is not about learning to read in a formal way. � It’s about helping children make sense of their world by developing

strong oral language skills. � It’s about valuing the home language and culture as the building blocks

for literacy development. � It’s about introducing children to the world of literacy and letting them

explore it. � It’s about providing lots of positive interactions for young children with

adults and older children. � It’s about providing an environment for children that is rich in literacy

resources. � It’s about modeling language and literacy for young children to copy.

The NWT Literacy Council has developed this booklet to help parents and other caregivers understand children’s literacy development at different ages and stages, and how they can support it. It’s important to remember, however, that all children are unique. They all develop at their own pace, so ages and stages are only a general guide.

We’ve broken the information down into three parts: what young children are able or trying to do; what parents can do to support their children; and materials that help support children’s literacy development. We tried to link the information with the Nipissing Developmental Screen that Health Centres use to assess children’s development, so you’ll recognize many of the activities.

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Can talk, sing lullabies, say rhymes, make up songs and

sayings so that your baby can hear the sound of your voice

Babies 99

99999

Can hear well when they are born Absorb the sounds and rhythms of the language around them Recognize and respond to their parents’ voices Enjoy listening to their parents’ voices Make a variety of sounds, like ‘coos’ and gurgles Like to be held close and cuddled Enjoy things like mobiles that dangle and move

Parents/caregivers 99

9999

Can ‘coo’, talk, and sing as you do things with your baby

Can tell or read stories Can change the sound of your voice (high, low, etc.) Can play lullaby music to calm your baby Can hold your baby close as you sing, talk to help your baby relax

Materials to support literacy

development

9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience, especially in your first language

999

Music like lullabies to calm and relax your baby Lullabies in books Simple rhymes


2 months

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il

Can respond to your baby’s sounds and actions by smiling and talking so that your baby knows you’re listening


development


99

99

Books with large clear pictures of familiar objects Books with strong contrast like black and white or bricolours

ght

Books about babies Books/tapes of games and rhymes to play and sing


4 months

Babies 9999999

999

Respond to people and things by making sounds Respond to sounds, especially people’s voices Like their parents’ voices the most Are curious about themselves and other things Like to look, reach and touch things Like to see their hands in front of their faces Respond well to strong contrasts, such as black and whiteor bright colours

Are ready to begin looking at books Like to feel safe and secure Need quiet time


9

9

99

Can hold your baby close and talk to your baby face to face Can use your baby’s name Can imitate sounds that your baby makes

Can talk, sing lullabies and other songs, say rhymes, tell or read stories Can clap your baby’s hands together and play simple rhyming games Can change the pitch of your voice (high, low, soft, etc.) Can use stories/songs to create quiet time for your babyand make her feel safe and secure

NWT Literacy Counc

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6 months

Babies 99 Like to listen to repetitive verse that sounds like their own

speech 9 Like to hear ‘sing song’voices 9 Like to listen to the same songs and rhymes over and over

again 99 Are becoming aware that words are symbols for familiar

objects 99999

Will begin to use repetitive sounds, like ‘ma’, ‘ba’ etc.

Like more active rhymes, like bouncing rhymes

Like to look at pictures Like to point to things Like to touch and chew things Like to hold things of different sizes, colours, textures Still need quiet time


99

9

Can imitate your baby’s sounds, like a conversation Can try to get your baby to say the sounds again Can name objects in pictures or around your baby Can tell the same stories, say the same rhymes and sing the same songs over and over again Can use stories/songs to create quiet time for your baby Can let your baby hold and touch books (don’t worry if she chews them!) Can encourage your baby to use both hands


development

9

9

999 Books that let your baby point to and say the names for

objects and words 9

Stories and songs from your own life and experience, especially in your first language Cloth books, board books, bath books that your baby can chew on Books with different textures that your baby can touch Repetitive verse

Picture books with individual rhymes

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9 months

Babies 9

Recognize their own name 9 Are learning about their own world 9 Like repetition 9 Start to use their fingers independently 9 Can imitate people’s actions 9 Can understand and follow simple instructions like

clapping hands 9 Match actions to words 9 Understand when things are hidden 9 Like to hold books and try to turn the pages 9 Like books with short sentences and simple pictures 9 Need to feel safe and secure

Parents/caregivers 9 Can imitate your baby’s sounds and actions 9 Can name the objects in pictures or around your baby and

talk to him about his world 9 Can teach your child fingerplay rhymes , clapping and

hiding games, like ‘Peek_A-Boo’ 9 Can make fingerplays, songs and stories more personal by

using your baby’s name in them 9 Can read the same books over and over again 9 Can read animal books and make animal sounds too 9 Can make your baby his own book, using pictures of

familiar objects from magazines or photos 9 Can help your baby turn pages 9 Can use stories or songs to create quiet time for your baby 9 Can make reading a part of your baby’s world by reading to

her every day Materials to

support literacy development


9 Homemade books, using familiar pictures or photos 9 Books to encourage development of motor skills, like

fingerplays 9 Action rhymes 9 Rhymes, songs, stories using your baby’s name 9 Books that encourage your child to make animal noises 9 Lift-the-flap books 9 ‘Peek-A-Boo’ books

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12 months

Toddlers 9

Make up words for things 9 Can understand several words in context 9 Like stories about themselves and their immediate world 9 Are starting to recognize body parts 9 Are developing a sense of humour 9 Like rhythmic stories that hold their attention 9 Like books with simple pictures and short sentences 9 Are beginning to learn about feelings 9 Need to feel safe and secure

Parents/caregivers 9 Can name things your child sees around him and wait for him to respond, like a conversation

9 Can teach your child body parts 9 Can name pictures and make the sounds too 9 Can use simple language, including short sentences like ‘big

dog’ 9 Can take your child for a neighbourhood walk. Look and

talk about all the things you see and hear, including signs and notices

9 Can let your child hold the book 9 Can let your child turn the pages by themselves 9 Can make your child more books of his own 9 Can read the same books over and over again 9 Can name your child’s feelings

Materials to 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience, especially in your first language

9 Homemade books, using familiar pictures, photos etc. 9 Rhythmic stories 9 Action and bouncy rhymes 9 Books about your child’s daily routine 9 Simple books about the body and body parts 9 Books with hidden objects 9 Books with silly, made-up words 9 Calming books for bedtime


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15 months

Toddlers 9 Are trying to communicate with you and the world around them

9 Respond to their own name 9 Make up words for things 9 Connect sounds together like a story 9 Like to look at books and pictures while people name things 9 Know some different body parts 9 Recognize and enjoy a wide variety of animals 9 Can sort things, by lining them up, stacking them or making

shapes 9 Understand simple instructions 9 Remember where objects belong 9 Can scribble 9 Are starting to learn about caring 9 Need quiet time with no TV or radio

Parents/caregivers 9 Can try to understand your baby’s speech and actions 9 Can help your child identify pictures and learn the new

words for them 9 Can encourage your child to find and point to the things

you are naming eg body parts. Encourage them to try to name them themselves.

9 Can talk to your child about the things he is doing 9 Can help your child recognize everyday sounds 9 Can make animal noises and have your child imitate them 9 Can help your child ‘sort’ things 9 Can let your child scribble with large crayons or chalk and

talk about what he draws or writes 9 Can use stories or songs to create quiet time for your child 9 Can let your child look at picture books throughout the day 9 Can help your child to learn about caring

Materials to 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience, especially in your first language

9 Homemade books with familiar pictures or photos 9 Stories about animals 9 Books that encourage your child to make animal or other

noises 9 Books with hidden objects 9 Books about the body and body parts 9 Books, songs, rhymes about doing things 9 Books about loving and caring


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18 months

Toddlers 9

Imitate everyday sounds 9 Point to pictures of familiar objects; match similar objects 9 Are beginning to ask ‘What’s that?’ 9 Learn new words every day 9 Can say five or more words 9 Combine words into a sentence 9 Are becoming active 9 Want to be independent 9 Are curious and like to explore and do things 9 Like to help 9 Like simple puzzles and shape sorters 9 Have shifting moods 9 Fear separation from parents/ look for caregivers 9 Talk to your child about his world e.g. the things you see,

hear, do 9 Can help your child develop basic self-help skills 9 Can play games to help your baby learn new words 9 Can encourage your child to move and do actions 9 Can help your child with puzzle pieces 9 Can leave books out so your child can play with them 9 Can let your child ‘explore’ books, turning the pages and

choosing the pages they want to read 9 Can let your child scribble with large crayons or chalk and

talk about what he draws or writes 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience,

especially in your first language 9 Stories you make up that includes your child in them 9 First books about letters, numbers, colours, opposites 9 Pictures and books of familiar things to develop your child’s

vocabulary 9 Action rhymes 9 Books with push-out shapes 9 Large crayons and paper 9 Books about the body 9 Books about matching and sorting 9 Books about family and relationships 9 Books about feelings and independence 9 Books about new experiences 9 Books about doing things

Parents/caregivers


development

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2 years

Toddlers 9

Learn new words every day 9 Are starting to combine words into simple sentences 9 Continue to ask ‘What’s that?’ 9 Like to sing songs 9 Like to play sorting games 9 Are active 9 Want to become independent 9 Like to help doing everyday things, like setting the table 9 Are learning about their own feelings 9 Like sharing storybooks with people 9 Can help your child learn new words by talking to him as

he’s doing things 9 Can help your child learn songs by singing often and by

leaving out words of songs so that your child can finish them by themselves

9 Can talk to your child about colours 9 Can help your child count things 9 Can help your child to sort things by shape, size, colour,

touch etc. 9 Can encourage your child to move in different ways 9 Can encourage your child to do things by herself (getting

dressed/ undressed) 9 Can name your child’s feelings 9 Can hold your child close when you read together 9 Can let your child scribble with large crayons or chalk and

talk about what you he draws or writes 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience,

especially in your first language 9 Stories, songs, rhymes your child can move to 9 Books about sorting 9 First books about colours, numbers 9 Books about doing things 9 Books about being independent 9 Books about reading 9 Large crayons/ chalks and paper

Parents/caregivers


development

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2 1/2 years Toddlers 9

Are learning about their world 9 Are learning to describe things, ‘big’, ‘red’ etc 9 Can combine two or more words into simple sentences 9 Like music; like to join in songs, stories and rhymes 9 Are learning to do puzzles by themselves 9 Like dressing up and playing different roles 9 Want to become independent 9 Want to help with the shopping 9 Are beginning to learn about relationships 9 Are learning about their own feelings 9 Like writing and drawing pictures 9 Listen to simple stories 9 Can talk to your child about what he is doing 9 Can talk about things you see and are buying in the store 9 Can look at the labels and words 9 Can ask your child questions about what you’re buying and

let your child respond 9 Can let your child see you using a shopping list 9 Can go for a community walk. Collect things (leaves etc.)

and talk about them. 9 Can let your child help sort things (shopping, laundry etc.) 9 Can help your child learn to do puzzles 9 Can play music for your child to move to 9 Can name your child’s feelings 9 Can encourage your child to play with other children 9 Can encourage your child to write and draw everyday 9 Can talk about your child’s pictures and put them in a book 9 Can read to your child everyday 9 Can read simple stories 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience,

especially in your first language 9 Homemade books with the things you collect as you walk 9 Homemade books with your child’s writing and drawings 9 Books about sorting and comparing 9 Books about moving, bending, running etc. 9 Puzzle books with pushout shapes 9 Books for describing things ‘big’, ‘fat’ etc. 9 Books about relationships (family, friends) 9 Books about feelings 9 Simple stories 9 Scissors, playdough, markers, crayons, paint, paper

Parents/caregivers


development

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WT Literacy Council N


3 years

Toddlers

9

Like to talk about what they did during the day 9 Can understand and use describing words 9 Combine words in short sentences 9 Have a sense of humour; like silly stories, rhymes and

games; like guessing games; like surprises 9 Are learning the letters of the alphabet 9 Want to be independent 9 Are beginning to learn about responsibility 9 Like to play with others but need help to take turns, share

and cooperate 9 Like to pretend/ make believe 9 Sometimes feel afraid; show affection 9 Like books and stories and can turn the pages by themselves 9 Can talk about what you and your child did during the day 9 Can go for community walks 9 Can play guessing games ‘Where’s the …?’ 9 Can make silly card games with magazine pictures (e.g. legs

on a fish); can talk about the silly things in the game 9 Can help your child make believe with words 9 Can read to your child often everyday; can set aside a

special time for reading as part of your child’s daily routine 9 Can let your child turn the pages of the books by herself 9 Can begin to read longer stories 9 Can help your child to hold a pencil or crayon properly 9 Can encourage your child to read, sing, talk, write and draw

everyday 9 Can encourage your child to do things by himself 9 Can help your child understand simple responsibility 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience,

especially in your first language 9 Books about your child and his world 9 First books about counting, letters, colours, shapes, sizes,

opposites 9 Books for playing guessing games 9 Books that have surprises in them 9 Books about independence and responsibility 9 Books about affection 9 Books about fears 9 Books about relationships 9 Make believe books 9 Scissors, playdough, markers, crayons, paint, paper

Parents/caregivers


development

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4 years Young children 9

Are learning more letters and about words and sounds 9 Are learning rhyming words, ‘big’, ‘pig’ etc. 9 Like making up words 9 Like to ask lots of questions; enjoy repetition 9 Like having people read to them or tell them stories 9 Like to listen to and tell longer stories (often to their toys) 9 Like having people change their voices when telling stories

(high, low, loud, soft) 9 Like listening to stories on tapes 9 Like doing things that help them to write 9 Are learning to make decisions and be responsible for them 9 Need to know they are special and are loved 9 Are beginning to understand and empathize with others 9 Can play rhyming games and make up silly rhyming words 9 Can read longer stories; encourage your child to retell the

story 9 Encourage your child to make up, tell stories using pictures,

a book or his own experience 9 Can play stories on tapes. Show your child how to follow

the story in the book and turn page when they hear the bell. 9 Can have lots of books around for your child. Can take your

child to the library if there’s one in your community. 9 Can encourage your child to choose the book they want to

read, or story they want to listen to. 9 Can show your child his written name 9 Can show your child how you use literacy everyday,

talking, writing shopping lists, reading labels, reading signs 9 Can encourage your child to read, sing, talk, write and draw

everyday 9 Stories and songs from your own life and experience,

especially in your first language 9 Rhyming stories 9 Stories on tape 9 Books about decisions and responsibility 9 Books about being special 9 Books about feelings, affection, empathy 9 Silly stories, absurd stories 9 Books about counting, colours, alphabet, sizes, shapes,

opposites 9 Longer stories 9 Scissors, playdough, markers, crayons, paint, paper

Parents/caregivers


development

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5 years Young Children 9 Play with words, invent words

9 Understand comparisons ‘tall’, ‘taller’, ‘tallest’ 9 Know some numbers, letters, colours, shapes, sizes etc. 9 Are starting to develop a sense of time 9 Know about where they live 9 Like to explore and try new things; like board games 9 Can predict outcomes 9 See humour in everything 9 Are developing their own identity 9 Like to feel good about themselves 9 Are becoming aware of their place in the family 9 Are learning about other people’s feelings 9 Are beginning to understand and empathize with others 9 Enjoy responsibility and are learning to share 9 Are learning to tell a story from beginning to end 9 May be learning to read; like longer stories 9 Need lots of practice with pencils, crayons, chalk etc. 9 Can play games using letter, numbers and colours 9 Can make up some board games using letters, numbers, etc.9 Can let their children help around the house eg. cooking or

baking, shopping 9 Can tell stories from their own experience and life to help

their children understand who they are 9 Can read stories that help your child learn about other

people’s feelings 9 Can do things to expand your child’s horizons 9 Can listen to your child reading to you often 9 Can tell/read stories with a beginning and end (My Day) 9 Can encourage your child to colour, draw, copy and trace 9 Books about friends 9 Books about families 9 Poetry and word play books 9 Easy readers 9 Books for sequencing 9 Books about silly things, or about the absurd 9 Books about numbers, letters, colours etc. 9 Books about self-esteem 9 Books which have characters with strong feelings 9 Colouring books, dot-to-dot, maze books 9 Books about the larger world 9 Longer stories

Parents/caregivers


development

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6 years

Young Children 9 Are learning about time (morning, days, months, seasons) 9 Can match things 9 Recognize familiar words in writing (in books, their name,

in stores) 9 Like making things for other people 9 Like keeping a journal (drawing pictures, simple sentences) 9 Are ready for longer stories 9 Are learning to read 9 May be afraid of things 9 Can use a calendar to plan things 9 Can encourage your child to make cards and write in them 9 Can encourage your child to keep a journal and help her

write simple sentences 9 Can listen to your child reading simple stories 9 Can read longer books 9 Can talk to your child’s teacher to find out what your child

is doing at school 9 Books with chapters in them 9 Children’s calendars 9 Flashcards/ letters, numbers, pictures, matching etc. 9 Homemade journals 9 Books about fears 9 Easy readers

Parents/caregivers


development

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For more information on early literacy and family literacy, contact:

The NWT Literacy Council Box 761

Yellowknife NT X1A 2P6

Phone: (867) 873-9262 Toll-free in the NWT: 1-866-599-6758

Fax: (867) 873-2176 Email: [email protected]

Funding for this project was provided through the Early Childhood Development Framework for Action, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories.


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