Language and Literacy

Language and literacy includes children’s developing speaking, writing and reading skills. Readiness includes having had exposure to and understanding of language – written and spoken - but does not require that they are reading and writing. Daily experiences with language through increasingly complex opportunities in their environment and being allowed to express themselves verbally and through written communication is crucial to their development in this domain. Component concepts in this domain include: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and research.

 Indicators for language and literacy for three year olds include:

• Shows interest in letters and words 
• Represents ideas and stories through pictures, dictation and play
• Uses scribbles and unconventional shapes to write

Indicators for language and literacy for four year olds include:

• Follows two or three step directions
• Shows appreciation for books and reading
• Understands purpose for writing

Indicators for language and literacy for five year olds include:

• Comprehends and responds to fiction and non fiction text
• Knows letters, sounds and how they form words
• Uses expanded vocabulary and language for a variety of purposes

Parents can help children in the language and literacy domain by:

• Reading to their children every day
• Providing the materials for children to “write” down lists, stories, make signs
• Pointing out words in everyday routines-their own name, traffic signs, store signs
• Asking children questions about the books they have read and what may happen next
• Playing with words-rhyming, silly sayings, knock- knock jokes
• Pointing out words that begin with the same letter as their names
• Using an increasingly complex vocabulary to describe items, events and places-exposing the child to new, more detailed words
• Allowing children to pass on messages to other family members or friends
• Giving more complex directions as the child as mastered simpler ones (two step directions to three steps )
• Allowing the child to speak and respond in social situations rather then speaking for them or rushing them to answer

The language and literacy domain refers to children’s ability to learn to form meaning, make connections to their own lives, and begin to critically analyze and interpret what they hear, observe and read. The goal is for children to begin communicate effectively both orally and in writing for many purposes.

The performance indicators listed above are form the Work Sampling System Omnibus Guidelines. For more information on the Work Sampling System, go to http://www.pearsonearlylearning.com/index.html  

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