Communication is the reason for literacy. Children will need to develop strong and varied communication skills in order to succeed in our global, technical society. Literacy encompasses reading, speaking, listening, written expression, verbal and nonverbal communication, technology, and more. Children's literacy begins at birth. All interactions have effects on their literacy development.
Children come to school having had a range of experiences and literacies.
We need to recognize, validate, and build on their prior experiences and knowledge. Literacy acquisition is developmental and individual. We need to recognize where a child is developmentally and to ensure that interactions, instruction, and expectations support learners at their developmental phases in order to promote growth. We need to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their literacy in a variety of ways.