Emergent Literacy Reading and writing are also an essential part of the language process. Emergent literacy means that, in order to learn the arts of reading and writing, young children must first acquire many foundation concepts and strategies that will help literacy emerge. This foundation is just as important as the final strategies needed for actual reading and writing. It's important to provide an environment and activities that inspire an appreciation for words, storytelling and communication in all their forms. It's essential to convey to your children how satisfying and useful the written word is by writing down their stories, helping them dictate and decorate letters to other children and adults, and adding written materials such as signs, phone books and menus to their pretend play.
Emergent literacy is interactive and participatory.
Children guide and help direct what they want to say, deciding what's important to them, what they want to talk about and what they want to learn. One of the most important things you can do to assist your children in their emerging literacy skills is to regularly read out loud to them and encourage other caregivers and teachers to do the same.