Language development is tied to cognitive development in young children. With simple activities and lessons, teachers and parents can promote language development and communication. Resources for inclusive classrooms and those with dual language learners offer expert guidance to early childhood educators.
Large Group
Individual Child
Large Group
Large Group
Large Group
Large Group
Large Group
For our young children, writing serves as a window into their language and literacy development. We want them to feel comfortable and confident in expressing themselves through writing, so we provide a forum for them to take risks and explore written language. Handwriting and letter formation is an important dimension of children's early writing process.
Once children are starting to get comfortable with the global contours of written letters (straight lines, curves, and circles), begin to put these together to form letters. If you have a handwriting curriculum already in place, you can use that. If not, and you are looking for some guidance, get some ideas in Playful Activities for Reading Readiness: Laying a Foundation for Literacy like this activity that allows children to practice forming shapes and letters in "goopy bags".
Literacy Cooking LanguageLearning centers are a great way to "set the stage" for dramatic play with the setting, props, and even costumes. In this dramatic play learning center, children can pretend to be vets by helping their stuffed animals. Through dramatic play, children gain social-emotional skills, language and oral skills, motor skills, confidence, and more. Get the book The GIANT Encyclopedia Of Learning Center Activities For Children 3 to 6 for fresh new learning center ideas from teachers who have used them in their own classrooms!
printable Movement and Play Literacy Language Social Emotional Large GroupFeatured in Many Languages, One Classroom: Teaching Dual and English Language Learners, by Karen N. Nemeth, this activity allows children to create their own restaurant menus using magazine clippings of international foods and key words from the languages of all the children in your classroom. By including culturally inclusive items like these in your dramatic play environments, you can help children from different language backgrounds become active participants in this important part of the preschool day. When the dramatic play area is full of authentic props, young children will find it easier to identify and talk about these items, play, explore, and develop essential language and social-emotional skills.
LanguageTeachers learn to foster effective communication skills in today's diverse classrooms, including students speaking dual languages or those with differing language abilities.
Parents learn how to encourage their children's growing language abilities through helpful tips and activities.
Browse through lists, author interviews, excerpts, and articles that connect theory and best practice in early childhood education.
Browse All Resources
