I intend to provide a print rich environment. According to Strickland & Schickedanz (2009), it is important for children to have a print rich environment in the classroom. Children should be able to interact with print material such as logos and labels that are in the children’s lives. As a teacher, I will provide an environment in which print material is available to the children. According to the text, children who are able to understand how print is used in their lives are more likely to be curious about learning words as well as letters. Therefore, it is important to provide a print rich environment for the children in order to ensure that they are interested in learning written language.
I intend to use dialogic reading to encourage children to read print material. According to Vukelich & Christie (2009), the way a teacher reads to preschoolers in important. Dialogic reading is an effective method of reading print material to children. This is mainly because as a teacher I will be able to help the child tell the story being read. This implies that the child will be involved and engaged during the reading process. It is a practical way through which the child becomes a part of the story. This will encourage children in the classroom to read thus enhancing literacy skills.
I intend to teach the children letters of the alphabet. According to Strickland & Schickedanz (2009), alphabet knowledge is critical when it comes to a preschool child developing literacy skills. The text suggests that at preschool level a child must be able to identify at least 10 upper case alphabets. I will concentrate on teaching the children the alphabets in order to give them a better opportunity when it comes to acquiring literacy skills. In my class, each child will be taught how to quickly identify the names of letters since it will offer them a better opportunity when it comes to learning how to read and write.
I intend to provide a positive environment that will allow for the social, cognitive and emotional development of the children in my class. These domains affect child development. In addition, they have a direct impact on the ability of a child to acquire literacy skills. As a teacher, I will provide a supportive environment that will allow children to ask questions as well as take part actively in classes. This will help foster social, cognitive and emotional growth. This in turn will help in ensuring that children are curious about learning. In addition, Strickland & Schickedanz (2009) states that children in a supportive environment are more likely to inquire about print in their environment.
I intend to involve parents and caregivers in the teaching process. According to Vukelich & Christie (2009), most preschoolers have parents and caregivers who are supportive. Therefore, in my class I intend to harness this support by ensuring that parents and caregivers are part of the learning process. Parents and caregivers can provide an appropriate home environment that will encourage children to read and write. This can be through parents and caregivers proving reading material to the children as well as providing a supportive environment at home that will help increase the curiosity of the children to read and write. According to the text, it is evident that adults can help promote a positive attitude in children about reading and writing.
References:
Strickland, D. S., & Schickedanz, J. A. (2009). Learning about print in preschool: Working with letters, words, and beginning links with phonemic awareness. Newark, Del: International Reading Association.
Vukelich, C., & Christie, J. F. (2009). Building a foundation for preschool literacy: Effective instruction for children's reading and writing development. Newark, Del: International Reading Association.
