Literacy and Young Children

Literacy and Young Children presents current, research-based best practices in the U.S. for supporting young children's development as readers and writers. From leading figures in early literacy, they demonstrate that scientifically grounded instruction need not be dull, drill-oriented, or one-size-fits-all. Instead, they describe language-rich approaches to engaging with children's existing levels of knowledge while moving them to more complex literacy understandings. Topics in this practical book cover: * the impact of home literacy experiences * teaching English learners and culturally diverse children * phonemic awareness and word knowledge for preschoolers * new uses for communication technologies and informational text * fluency instruction. Also addressed are professional development issues, including teacher training practices that support change. Exemplary teaching strategies and activities are clearly depicted and illustrated with samples of student work, providing Pre-K-3 teachers with many useful ideas that can be readily applied in the classroom.