Then, it examines the notion that the development of literacy is linked to oral language and considers ways in which day care centres can promote oral language that is part of literate behaviour. Finally, it looks at socio-cultural aspects of literacy and their implications for children in day care centres in general and in particular, for francophone children living in a minority context. Literacy is traditionally defined as the ability to read and write. Increasingly, however, literacy is defined more broadly and is being viewed as a social phenomenon. Thus, what it means to be literate varies according to socio-cultural groups.
Individuals use different literate behaviours in different contexts.
In our present technological society, much of the information presented is complex. Literate ability, in this context, becomes a means of accessing and conveying information in meaningful acts of communication, not only in the written, but also in the oral mode. These means of communication include television, film, personal narratives in class, written reports and faxes. Accordingly, literacy goes beyond the ability to read and write conventional texts at specific ages. It refers to ways of thinking, talking, writing, reading and valuing that reflect how children act.