Week 1:

Literacy: Enhancing early literacy skills for preschool children: Bringing a professional development model to scale

This article was chosen because of the focus on important literacy skills for preschool children. The main focuses outlined were early literacy content, enhancing children’s cognitive and social emotional development, and a teacher directed and child centred approach to learning. Key foundational skills necessary for young children to succeed in learning to read were outlined. These were language, phonological awareness and print knowledge, proper exposure to these skills in early childhood prepare children and give them the best chance at succeeding in reading (Landry, Swank, Smith, Assel & Gunnewig, 2006, p. 307).  The article pointed out the importance of ensuring children have repeated exposure to words in various contexts, and children who participated in activities promoting phonological awareness, showed superior skills in reading tasks and reading comprehension. The article discussed research, which showed that “young children learn cognitive and language skills most effectively if their interests are recognised, supported, and extended” (Landry et al., 2006, p. 307). The article also recognised the importance for a teacher directed and child centred approach, acknowledging that older students respond to clear academic direction, whilst 3 – 4 year olds benefit when their interests are responded to thoughtfully (Landry et al., 2006). I see the importance of teaching young children the key foundations of literacy, so that they will be prepared and have the best chance to succeed in learning to read. If educators use a child centred approach to learning, than literacy skills can be combined within all of children’s learning experiences and both their cognitive and social emotional needs can be met.

Numeracy: How do parents support pre-schoolers numeracy learning experiences at home?

The journal article was a study and discussion paper, on the types of early numeracy experiences parents provide for their young children. This particular article was chosen because of its focus on relevant home experiences that enhance children’s numeracy abilities. The article defined Numeracy as  “a proficiency which is developed mainly in mathematics… more than a basic ability to do arithmetic. It involves developing confidence and competence with numbers” (), The article discussed the importance for children to have numeracy experiences at home, which are facilitated and supported by parents. There was also growing research to suggest that numeracy scores were predicted by the amount and types of numeracy experiences children were exposed to at home and in preschool. Research shows the importance of young children’s exposure to numeracy experiences. I think it is important for educators to provide numeracy experiences for preschool children so they begin to learn and experience numbers and their concepts.

References

Landry, S. H., Swank, P. R., Smith, K. E., Assel, M. A., & Gunnewig, S. B. (2006). Enhancing early literacy skills for preschool children: Bringing a professional development model to scale. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39 (4), 306 – 24.

Skwarchuk, S. (2009). How do parents support preschoolers’ numeracy learning experiences at home? Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(3), 189 -197.