Oral Language and Early Literacy in Preschool: Talking, Reading, and Writing

Oral language is the foundation of learning to read and write. In the preschool years, development of oral language skills—including both speaking and listening skills—is crucial to children’s future reading achievement and school success. This book, part of the Preschool Literacy Collection, provides preschool educators and administrators with the knowledge they need to create a language-rich program that promotes children’s talking, reading, and writing. Authors Kathleen A. Roskos, Patton O. Tabors, and Lisa A. Lenhart present a simple model for joining oral language and early literacy that will prepare children for life both in and out of school. The chapters offer current research, planning and assessment suggestions, and instructional approaches to help you make informed decisions about what oral language skills children need to learn, what kinds of language and literacy experiences to provide, what to look for in programs and materials, and whether children are making progress in their use of language. The final chapter presents a day in the life of one preschool classroom to show you how one preschool teacher applies the simple model presented in this book. A glossary of key terms, and appendixes containing a list of language and literacy assessment tools, principles of program evaluation, and daily language and literacy routines for infants and toddlers also are included to supplement your reading. Preschool educators can use this book to guide their early learners in skillfully using language to become eager learners, ready readers, and budding writers. Preschool administrators can use this book to offer teachers professional development on building the critical oral literacy foundation young children need.