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.
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.
LanguageFeatured in The Possibilities of Play: Imaginative Learning Centers for Children Ages 3-6, by Dr. Jean Feldman and Carolyn Kisloski, this learning center activity is a perfect opportunity to develop technology skills like keyboarding and visual matching.
Program Administration Literacy Summer Learning Technology LanguageFeatured in The Possibilities of Play: Imaginative Learning Centers for Children Ages 3-6, by Dr. Jean Feldman and Carolyn Kisloski, this learning center activity is a perfect way to motivate children to read and develop social skills.
Program Administration Literacy Summer Learning Language Social EmotionalFeatured in The Possibilities of Play: Imaginative Learning Centers for Children Ages 3-6, by Dr. Jean Feldman and Carolyn Kisloski, this learning center activity is a perfect opportunity to develop writing skills like small-motor strength, alphabet recognition, and sensorimotor skills.
Program Administration Movement and Play Literacy Summer Learning LanguageFeatured in The Possibilities of Play: Imaginative Learning Centers for Children Ages 3-6, by Dr. Jean Feldman and Carolyn Kisloski, this learning center activity is a perfect opportunity to practice phonics and writing skills, like upper- and lowercase letters.
Program Administration Movement and Play Literacy Summer Learning LanguageWith Read! Move! Learn! by Carol Totsky Hammett and Nicki Collins Geigert it is incredibly simple to bring nature and so much more into the classroom with enriching stories that connect literacy and movement.
Movement and Play Literacy Outdoor Learning LanguageJust like adults, children experience a wide array of emotions — the difference is that children don’t always understand the emotion, what to call it, or how to properly describe what exactly they’re feeling.
Movement and Play Literacy Language Social EmotionalChinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the celebration of the beginning of a new year based on the Chinese lunar calendar, and it is the most important holiday in China.
Movement and Play Art Language Seasonal Learning: WinterTeachers 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.
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