Language and Literacy
Introduction and Importance
Language and literacy form the core of early education because they will assist children to communicate, analytically think, and express themselves. Listening, speaking, reading and writing done early enough seem to be the first step towards cognitive and social growth. Children begin to communicate and articulate their ideas through literacy practices like stories, or reading, writing which enables them to be more creative. Activities make children know themselves, their surroundings and their counterparts as they gain important skills that they can be able to learn in future.(Community childcare Victoria, 2011)
Creativity Theories and Perspective
Essential educational theorists discover the role of language and literacy in creativity to be very significant. The Sociocultural Theory by Lev Vygotsky is that social interaction aids in cognitive and language development. He had the perception that language is used as a medium of thought and solution. By engaging in tasks such as the tale or even communication, children become creative thinkers and expressers. Creativity and skills in problem solving are increased with the social interactions like collaborative storytelling and role-play.
The linguistic intelligence is another important point concerning creative growth which is raised by the theory of multiple intelligences developed by Howard Gardner. Gardner presents the view that language enables children to use their creativity and learn new things through poetry, stories and conversation. Such practices help children to gain language skills and strong reasoning abilities. That is why, language is a means of thinking and creativity manifestation and hence, it is a must of cognitive development.(Carroll & Breadmore, 2021)
Digital Technologies and Resources, Materials
Resources:
There is a collection of colorful cards and sources on different languages to facilitate language learning.
Alphabet charts and flashcards to create vocabulary skills and recognition of letters.
Phonemic awareness and thinking creatively is encouraged by small words and objects initiating with alphabetical letters.
Materials:
Greeting in different languages and how to pronounce those greetings in different languages explains with colors flashcards.
Early writing materials (crayons, pencils, color papers).
Story dice/cards to share ideas to be made into their own stories by children.
Digital Technologies:
Applications such as Epic! and Story bird are interactive reading and storytelling applications.
Word-building and phonics apps, like ABC mouse and Endless Alphabet.
Social story apps in which the children can make their own digital books such as Book Creator.
Listening and comprehension through audiobooks or story podcasts.
Examples of Learning Experiences
0-2 years: Look through the pictures and simple sound board books. Train young children to imitate sounds and words in order to acquire young language.
To children 23 years old, books with actions and songs that make them verbalize should be used.
Three- to five-year-old kids can do group storytelling where the kids make and tell their stories.
Between six and eight years, the children are to be encouraged to compose a simple poem or story based on a given stimulus. This will aid them in gaining creativity in writing as well as language.
Original Creative Learning Opportunities
Age 0-2 years: At the age of 0 to 2 years old, educators can teach the children greeting like Hello (English), Hola (Spanish), Namaste (Hindi), Ni Hao (Mandarin) and Konnichiwa (Japanese). This may be incorporated at the arrival time in the morning or during the group time with the use of friendly gestures such as waving or smiling.
Age 2-3 years: Children between the ages of 2-3 years should be introduced to English alphabet in a fun way which involves play involving multiple sensory experiences. Large colorful alphabets cards, alphabet songs and things beginning with those alphabets can be used
Age 3-5 years: With children between the age of 3-5 years, use words that are short and easy like cat, dog, sun, hat, run and bus. Picture cards, games with matching the items, and story books with words highlighted as well are good. Make children repeat the word, distinguish the letters in this word and relate an object or an action to a real one.
Digital Evidence
0-2 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/RgXXffbUmjI
2-3 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/iG42MWMy_so
3-5 years
https://youtube.com/shorts/EIqbCjl0BDY
Critical Reflection and Evaluation
Looking at my strengths, I find that I enjoy language and speech, which drives me to make learning experiences engaging. I want children to use language: orally, in writing and through role play. I want them to feel confident. This method promotes children’s creativity and critical thinking, so they develop a fondness for languages. My teaching inspires creativity and confidence, while fostering a lifelong love of language. (Australian Government Department of Education [AGDE], 2022)