When adults thoughtfully plan children's activities to incorporate literacy, reading and writing are meaningful in their everyday lives. One class this year created signs for important classroom rules. This is an opportunity for using print in a meaningful way. Please don't forget your manners. The teacher took dictation from the child about her vehicle and what it was doing.
Activities based on good stories connect literature to other areas of the curriculum.
A job chart in the kindergarten helps with name recognition as well as expanding vocabulary. The children in this class drew a mural of themselves using different types of transportation. The teacher wrote down their comments on what they were using and where they were going. Teachers who listen to children validate the importance of children's thoughts and yearnings and encourage expressive language. Understanding the uses of print is an important part of becoming literate.