LITERACY
The term “literacy” is used by some to simply describe reading and writing, but in fact, literacy covers a much wider range of learning. Literacy in the early years includes talking about books, print in the environment, early mark making and writing, as well as sharing books and reading.
Find out about the Three Reads Approach here which we use in nursery.
The Listening Lot is a great way to encourage your child to sit still to listen to stories. You can find further notes on how to use them here and some activities for using them here.
Anyone who’s ever sat down to read with a young child will know just how much they love books (often the same one, over and over again!). And encouraging an early passion for reading matters: according to various reports, an enjoyment of reading is more closely linked than family circumstances to academic success.
When reading you should look to discuss the features of the book and encourage your child to use their imagination. You can find some helpful hints and tips here.
Literacy isn’t just about books though, below you will some other ideas you can do at home to encourage recognition of letters, sounds and imagination.
- Letter Hunt
A letter sounds treasure hunt is a great way to encourage your child to be active, as well as supporting their developing understanding of letter sounds. Ask your child to find objects around the home that begin with the same sound as their name or the names of their friends or family members. You could make this into a competition and see who in your household can find the most objects beginning with the letters of their name. To extend this you could ask them to sort their treasure according to various categories including size, weight or colour.
2. Role Play
Get your child to act out the story. Don’t forget to share it with us.
3. Sing songs and nonsense rhymes
Sing songs and nursery rhymes together; make up little nonsense rhymes with your child (eg ‘the fat cat sat on the mat’). You can find a list of rhymes to use at home here. There are 100 songs in the music player at the bottom of this page.
4. Eye Spy
Play I-spy with colours or shapes, for example ‘I spy, with my little eye, something coloured blue’ or ‘something square’.
