Reading and Literacy Development Before Kindergarten, The First Five Years.

As a child grows and developments, many factors will contribute to their understanding of their world.  These many factors range from maternal mental and physical health to conditions of which they live; housing, temperament, nutrition, emotional stress and support.  These factors impact their general development.  Some of the factors that affect their reading is their exposure to counting, number concepts, letter names and shapes, phonological awareness (understanding the sounds letters make), their interest in literacy and cooperation with peers.  All of these factors are considered pre-school accomplishments. 

The act of learning that the alphabet is a symbol system for sounds is part of a child's stream of development.  Children's concepts about literacy are formed from the earliest years.  These concepts are developed by observing, interacting with and imitating readers and writers.  In most cases, a child becoming a reader is a lengthy process that begins long before formal instruction.  

These processes that children go through to become readers is what I am most interested it.  It is the purpose of my studies and the reason for this website.  I want to better educate myself, teachers, parents and caregivers on what we can do to help our children.  Please make the choice to follow this blog, join in and share.