Language and literacy essentials

Yukti Lao

Language development begins at birth and grows with amazing speed and complexity. The quality of language development and interaction in the pre-school years can predict reading achievement six years later. There are two levels of language – comprehension or receptive use, related to listening and reading. The other one is production or expressive use related to speaking and writing.

In recent times, the challenges of pre-school are growing day by day. In order to help us meet these challenges, especially in the world of language and literacy learning, the best way to improve language skills in children is through activities that are integrated across different developmental areas. Focusing on the following essentials will help us keep our children on the right track.

Oral language
Foundation of oral language development: Conversations are a powerhouse for learning. Carefully guided conversations can impact children’s vocabulary, help them learn patience and empathy, gain confidence and progress toward expanding their thinking and knowledge.

Teacher’s task

• Take out time each day for interesting conversations using different words. You can carefully place objects in the centre during circle time to spark such discussions.
• Conduct talk sessions to help children explore and understand their world. Encourage their inquisitiveness.
• Help children tell or re-tell stories, share something important with them, and answer questions in complete sentences.

Reading aloud
Partner conversations with read-aloud time. The more naturally you share a story, the more engaged the children will be. Read aloud to your whole class during story time sessions.

Teacher’s task

• Preview and pre-read each book carefully. Ask yourself, “What questions might arise in my children’s minds? What might they be interested in learning more about?”
• Pause from time to time for mini “think-aloud” or mini discussions. Use the magic words “Let’s see what happens next,” if you find the conversation straying too far.

Technology and language development
Learning a language has become infinitely easier now with the use of technology. Access to the Internet, instructional videos and computer programs have taken textbook knowledge and made it interactive and engaging. Learning a language in early childhood forms the basis of a child’s development in higher stages. Some of the benefits of learning a language in early childhood include boosting empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and creative thinking skills. Nowadays, some applications and programs are making early language learning an easier possibility both for the children as well as their parents.

Following are some of the most interactive language learning programs designed to boost the learning process of pre-school children.

Pink Fong Kids’ Songs and Stories
This is a treasure trove of an app, filled with popular stories and songs, re-done in fantastic artwork with colourful characters. The best part of the app is its singers and narrators; a talented bunch that actually makes you want to sing and dance together with the children. They’re especially great for their phonics songs, where they teach the kids proper pronunciation through song.

Make me genius
The website (www.makemegenius.com) has many science videos for kids. One video teaches children to mimic animal voices in an interactive manner. Pre-school kids can recite along with the kids in the video.

T-Series Kids Hut
Kids Hut Channel (YouTube) is filled with all the popular nursery rhymes, bedtime stories and things you (kids) want to know. Popular nursery rhyme characters come alive to make kids sing and dance; there is a new adventure to find with Tia and Tofu every time you visit Kids Hut. Tia and Tofu are all set to take you on this adventure trip to the Magical Place called Kids Hut.

E Flash Apps
The award-winning children’s nursery rhymes app brings together animated educational videos, games, music and animation in over 13 languages for pre-school, kindergarten and elementary school kids.

Hoopla Kidz
Hoopla Kidz is one of the most popular YouTube channels for pre-schoolers featuring, Annie, Ben and Mango singing and dancing to popular nursery rhymes and original songs. Children can watch and enjoy Aesop’s Fables that teach them good morals and right conduct, build their vocabulary with easy Spell Well series and have fun learning and playing with a wide range of interactive videos. Hoopla Kidz is a one stop pre-school destination.

Apart from these engaging apps, many activities can also be planned to give children practice in language, like: talking and listening, singing songs and rhymes, narrating stories, puppet conversation, picture reading, role play and others. Every child deserves the freedom to express himself or herself. Praise and encouragement at their effort will go a long way in helping them become effective communicators.

The author is an English Literature graduate from Delhi University. At present she is a kindergarten teacher at G.D. Salwan Public School. She can be reached at yuktilao@gmail.com.