BUILDING AND ENHANCING LITERACIES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

UNIT 2

Topic 1: STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMERGENT

LITERACY SKILLS AND TEACHING

Learning Objectives
At the end of the module the students are expected to:
a. Identify and explain basic concepts and principles emergent literacy;
b. Design activities that will develop emergent literacy can contribute to learning; and
c. Suggest teaching resources to aid the development of emergent literacy.

Begin Learning
What are the strategies of parents or adults do you observe in teaching children how to read
and write? What is your opinion about it?

Explore New Ideas

To begin with this part of the module, let us understand first the concept of literacy.
Literacy is the ability to read and write involving understanding, analyzing and transforming
information to new knowledge. This is the ability to criticize and analyze certain things.
(Septiani, Nurul and Syaodih, Ernawulun, (2020)
In the case of children, how do we know that they are literate? Try doing this
checklist. Put a check if you think the following describe literacy among children.
_____1. Children can identify the sounds of letters.
_____2. They can identify in which part of the word a certain sound is heard.
_____3. Children can say in words the things they like, dislike, or need.
_____4. They can write words using the letters of the alphabet.
_____5. They can write simple words that they use in communicating.

Literacy skills for children according to Nurul and Syaodih (2020) include their
ability to communicate verbally or in writing. A child undergoes different stages of
developing literacy such as growth stage of readiness to read, stage of developing reading
skills, and stage of refining reading skills. Finally, children develop the ability to
communicate orally or in writing and can read different texts.

New Concepts to Unlock

Emergent Literacy
Children have unique ways in acquiring literacy, some learn reading and writing
earlier than the others. But we should take note that children who learned literacy earlier does
not mean that they know more than what other group of children know. What is important to
consider is the fact that adult can help children to become prepared to achieve literacy through
emergent literacy.

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Children achieve literacy skills through proper preparation as they acquire emergent
literacy before they attend formal school. Emergent literacy are skills, knowledge, and
attitudes that are developed needed to learn reading and writing (Whitehurst and Lonigan,
1998) that begins to develop during preschool and is predictive of later reading skills
( Lonigan, Shatschneider, & Westberg, 2008).
Skill in recognizing alphabet, phonological awareness, and awareness of writing are
emergent literacy skill that will be helpful to learn before they enter formal school. There are
specific abilities that parents or adults can teach children to help them achieve literacy like
naming and writing letters, spelling simple words, recognizing letters and signs in the
surroundings, identifying books and their titles, and others.
Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism is related to emergent literacy where it is
believed that through social interaction with parents, peers, teachers children learn cognitive
skills when they interact as they grow before they enter school (Suci YT in Septiani, N. and
Syaodih, E., 2020). Parents and adult provide stimulus as they interact with children and
these stimulus are vital to develop emergent literacy.
Development of emergent literacy can be observed in different stages according to
Aplikasi, D.S., (2018) (in Septiani, N. and Syaodih, E., 2020).
1. Fantasy Stage. In this stage children begin to learn
to use books, see and turn the pages of a book, select
their favorite book and other indicators that show
their interest to use reading materials despite their
young age. Providing reading materials will be
helpful to reinforce this stage of development.
2. Self concept formation. Children at this stage begin
to see themselves as reader as they pretend to read a
book as if they really can read the text. They interpret
images and use their own language to express their
understanding on what they see in a book. As adults
around them we give them positive feedback and
avoid reactions that may interfere with the
development process.
3. Three stages of reading pictures. Children
eventually become aware on writings in the book, which leads them to find words familiar to
them, and express their ideas related to the words they can already recognize. This way they
become familiar with written words that enables them to have interest in learning to read
various texts such as alphabets, poems, songs, etc. Parents and adults can widen their interest
when children are introduced to various texts they can relate to and gives them enjoyable
learning experiences.
4. Introduction of reading. At this stage, children begin to use graphs phonic and they can
associate the sounds to the letters that form the words. They can express and understand
meanings of words and sentences. They can remember writings they read from books or
recognize signs such as traffic signs, billboards, labels of products, logo, etc.
5. Fluent reading. When children are prepared well in the various stages they become
capable to read various types of reading materials appropriate for their age or level of
development.

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Emergent Approach (Johnson, Andy)

The Emergent Approach proposed by Andy, J. provides opportunities to children to learn
through authentic learning experiences and incidental learning. He believed that, “Literacy emerges
from children as they are exposed to literacy as the child is ready as they enga ge in authentic literate
behaviors.” Adults who are responsible for the development of emergent literacy among children can
use different strategies to provide opportunities for children to experience learning while adults
provide them a certain degree of support that will eventually lead to independent learning later on.
Strategies for Developing Emergent Literacy
Here are some strategies that we can consider when designing activities for children to develop
emergent literacy.
1. Progression of Book Behavior. Allow children to explore available reading materials before they
enter school and allow them experience the progression of the following:
A. Exploration. Give children books or reading materials that they can examine, look at illustrations
and text on the cover, and hold the book and turn pages.

B. Labeling. It is done by pointing to words to label the pictures in the page. Adults can assist the
child during reading session by pointing to words to label the objects illustrated in the book. This
way the child will understand that words are read and illustrations provide representation of what is
being read.

C. Read and tell. When holding a book children pretend reading and use picture ques to tell the
story according to their own understanding. Adults can ask questions that will prompt children to
tell their own ideas about the book they are reading.

D. Finger-point reading. Adult read aloud the text

while pointing at each word during reading time.
Eventually teach the children to point to the words
you read together. This way they will learn to focus
attention to words when adults are reading aloud.
This is one way of expanding their skill in
associating the text to pronounced words.

E. Reading. Actual reading of words from the text is

done with the adult at first. Later, children can be encouraged to read along simple words until they
can read on their own.

F. Guidance, support, and encouragement from adult during the reading process is vital for children
to develop their confidence in decoding and understanding the meanings of words and texts that
they read.

2. Incidental Learning. Children who attend to preschool programs gain benefit from various
incidental learning that may take place in the classroom. Incidental learning is also feasible at home
with the help of adults. Here are list of activities that teacher can include in the preschool classroom
activities or parents and adults can work with children at home during reading time.
A. Read aloud list of words posted on the wall.
B. Read stories to children at home or in the classroom. Set reading time before nap time or bedtime to
calm them down before sleeping.
C. Encourage older student or siblings to read to
younger ones.
D. Let children do a lot of pen and paper activities
(such as scribbling, drawing, tracing, writing, etc.)

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E. Provide them materials such as papers, pens and markers, colored chalks and crayons.
and safe space where they can practice their fine motor skills.

F. Use worksheets for various activities to develop proper way of holding pens, pencil and crayons and
accomplish tasks that they will enjoy and appropriate for their level of development.
G. Expose children to environmental prints such as books, signs, posters, traffic signs that they see
around. Ask them what letters do they see. What colors or shapes do prints and objects have.
H. Teach writing by holding child’s hand to teach strokes in writing. Writing on the air or tracing can
also be fun and develop independence in learning writing among children.
I. Do authentic writing or driting (drawing and writing) by allowing children to write, scribble, draw,
trace and copy written words.

Sample Materials

1. Graph phonics 2. Worksheet

[Link]

[Link]

Online Resources

Know more about emergent literacy and find creative strategies and materials through the following
links:

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[Link]#:~:text=Materials-,Ms.,and%20other%20varieties%20of%20text.

Level Up Your Learning

I. True or False. Write T if the statement is True and F if False.
1. Children have the innate capacity to achieve literacy even without the intervention of
adult around them.
2. Children can achieve literacy through preparation by learning emergent literacy skills
such as skills in holding pencil and crayons, awareness of letters, phonics, and how to use
books.
3. Emergent literacy can be achieved in natural environent where children need to follow a
strict curriculum with set of activities and tasks to accomplish.

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4. Social interaction of children with other children and adults around them is helpful for
them to acquire emergent literacy.
5. Children show interest in using books by examining the book, turn the pages and looking
at pictures and some familiar letters or printed text during what is called fantasy stage.
6. Fluent reading where children are already capable of reading simple word and short
sentences which is possible after they have undergone the different stages in the process of
acquiring emergent literacy.
7. We allow children to experience authentic literate behaviors such as scribbling, drawing,
doodling, tracing and copying when they are already enrolled in school indicating
development of emergent literacy.
8. Watching programs on reading, writing and speaking can be an alternative to incidental
learning where children are engage in actual learning experience.
9. Reading aloud to children while pointing to the specific words can teach them to focus
on text, a skill needed to learn reading.
10. When we allow children to draw or do free writing, they experience authentic learning,
a prerequisite to acquire literacy during formal education.

II. Application.
Design activities that will develop emergent literacy considering the needs of students.
Choose one situation and develop a strategy considering the prerequisites of developing
emergent literacy. Write your plan in the table below
Identified Problem Activities/Intervention Resources

Situation 1
Maya is a three year old child coming from a poor family. Both of her parents were not able
to finish elementary because they spend most of their times working in the field. As an adult
who understands her situation how can you help her develop emergent literacy?
Situation 2
Allan, a four year old toddler is exposed to cellphone most of the time watching random
videos, playing online games for adult. He barely know basic literacy such as identify colors,
shapes, alphabet, and numbers. He feels uneasy when the cellphone is missing and throw
tantrums. What can be done to address his condition.
Situation 3
Monica is 5 years old and getting ready to go to kindergarten. She is smart and enjoys looking
at pictures in books. She is very eager to learn when somebody teaches her. However her

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parents work all day and she is left with a nanny who works on home chores all day. What an
be done to help her?

Rubrics
Indicators Points Score
1. Identified the problem based on students situation. 5
2. Considered various components of teaching emergent 5
literacy.
3. Suggested activities are doable to develop emergent 5
literacy skills.
4. Used resources that accessible and appropriate for 5
learners.
5. Showed creativity and variety of activities to sustain 5
learning.
Total 25

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Assess What You Have Learned

Name: ________________________ Section: __________ Score: ___________

Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following describes the literacy skills among children?
A. ability to recognize members of the family
B. ability to communicate verbally or in writing
C. can count up to 1000
D. can calculate monetary values

2. Which of the following activities will help prepare a child to learn literacy? Do authentic
writing or driting (drawing and writing) by allowing children to write, scribble, draw, trace
and copy written words.
A. Allow children to watch tv programs.
B. Give them nutritious food.
C. Give them something to scribble, draw, and write.
D. All of the above.

3. What is the best way to show children that text are read and they have meanings?
A. Memorize poems from children’s books
B. Recite poems and tell made up stories to children
C. Read aloud text in the book while pointing to each word.
D. All of the above.

4. Which of the following materials will make children engage in preparing to write?
A. Pen and paper
B. Worksheets, pens, paper
C. Tablets and gadgets
D. None of the above

5. Which of the following activities will help a child learn writing?

A. Doodling, scribbling, and drawing
B. Building using blocks
C. Watching random shows
D. None of the above.

6. This is a stage where children are given books or reading materials that they can examine,
look at illustrations and text on the cover, and hold the book and turn pages.
A. Exploration
B. Fluent reading
C. Labeling
D. Read and tell

7. This the stage when children are prepared well in the various stages they become capable to
read various types of reading materials appropriate for their age or level of development. A.
A. Exploration
A. Fluent reading
B. Labeling
C. Read and tell

8. Children learn emergent literacy in a not so formal way allowing them to have learning
experiences incorporated in their daily routine where they learn basic skills needed?
A. Mastery of skills
B. Route learning
C. Incidental learning
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D. Deliberate learning

9. Which of the following is true about emergent literacy?

A. These are skills knowledge, and attitudes that are developed needed to learn reading and
writing.
B. These are innate skills that children learn during school age with teachers’ intervention.
C. Children ages seven start learning these skills to become literate.
D. There is a specific age when children learn these skills all together.

10. Which of the following activities that can develop emergent literacy can be identified as
incidental learning.
A. Learning alphabets using food packaging and labels.
B. Learning to read during scheduled tutorial sessions.
C. Playing BINGO and learn about numbers.
D. A and C only.

References
[Link]
(Septiani, Nurul and Syaodih, Ernawulun, (2020). Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood. Advances in
Social Sciences Education and Humanities Research Volume 538
Ramona Stowe. Emergent Literacy. Emergent Literacy
Dr. Andy Johnson. (2010).Emergent Literacy: The Basics. Emergent Literacy: The Basics -
[Link] State University, Mankato

Dr. Andy Johnson Emergent Literacy vs. Reading Readiness - YouTube

Emergent Literacy vs. Reading Readiness

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