Live Interactive Chat

Answers to Questions (Transcript)

May 6, 2003

Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers

Jodi Scott
Early Childhood Consultant, Regional Offices of Education #27, #28, and #49

See also: Biography and Related Resources

IELmoderator
Greetings, IEL Chat participants. Welcome to our IEL Chat on "Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers." To get started, let me introduce our guest speaker, Jodi Scott, Early Childhood Consultant in Regional Offices of Education #27, #28, and #49

Jodi Scott
Hello! I am happy to be here and I look forward to your questions about literacy development in preschoolers.

IELmoderator
The procedure for the live Chat session is as follows. Participants can send questions to the Chat guest at any time. When you send your question, please note that it will not be visible to all Chat participants. The IEL Moderator receives the question first and will post it to the whole Chat group. If there's a long queue of questions, the Moderator will notify the questioner that the question was received. Then, at the next break in the discussion, the question will be posted for all to see and for our guest to answer.

Note that there will be a pause after a question is posted while the Chat guest speaker composes a response to the question. So please be patient! During these pauses, the Moderator will post occasional information about the IEL Web site. Because some Chat participants enter the Chat in the middle of the session, some of these messages may be posted more than once.

Questions will be posted in the order they're received, unless there's some obvious reason to group similar questions together. Participants may send follow-up questions. If you do send a follow-up question, please remind the Guest and other participants of the earlier question (something like "In my earlier question about the third-grader's reading difficulty") because it's easy to forget earlier questions in the long list of questions that occur during the Chat session.

If your question is not answered by the time the Chat session ends at 8 p.m., the question and its answer will be included in the Chat transcript that will be made available online approximately 3 weeks from today.

Now let's begin our Chat. Ms. Scott, we have a question that we received in advance of the session.

What role do listening, speaking, and writing play in helping a child learn to read?

Jodi Scott
Listening and speaking are like the training wheels on a bike. It is a lot more difficult to gain the confidence of riding without that early support. The more practice we have and the more we have been exposed to speaking and listening the easier it will be for children to break the code when learning to read. Oral language is a huge predictor for how successful children will be in learning to read. The more children are familiar with the reading and writing concept, the better the chance they will have in accessing that prior knowledge and making the connection for reading and writing. Exposure is key for children's success in school.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's another question that we received in advance of the Chat.

Can you give some examples on how teachers can encourage literacy through other activities such as science, cooking, math, and music?

Jodi Scott
In early childhood, literacy is a part of everything you do. It is never a separate "subject area." It is visible in every aspect of your classroom. Reading and writing across the curriculum is very important. Children need to see the use for reading and writing in all curricular areas. There is a lot of children's literature that lends itself to other curricular areas. Using books to create curiosity in science, cooking, math, or music is a great way to begin projects or pique children's interest in different areas.

Offering students opportunities to write in all curricular areas is also important. For example, it is a good practice to include clipboards and pencils in all areas of your classroom, including the blocks area, dramatic play area, and the science area. Another exciting aspect of cross-curricular reading is exposing children to nonfiction texts. Reading nonfiction is so important in developing early literacy. Different forms of texts -- such as recipes, lists, records of a science project in a journal, etc. -- are great precursors to the development of literacy.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's our next question.

Are there ways to help children understand the connection between letters and the sounds they make without drilling in phonics?

Jodi Scott
Yes, there are other ways. Drilling phonics is not an appropriate teaching method for preschool-age children. Teaching children to listen to words that sound the same (rhyme) and start the same are the beginning stages for exposing children to letter-sound matching. Model for children and point out words that begin with the same sound as their names or the names of others. Play rhyming games and sing songs, chants, and finger plays to help encourage children to listen for sounds.

Nancy
I've heard of environmental print. Does this just refer to any printed words? How can a parent or teacher use this?

Jodi Scott
Nancy, environmental print is the words you see around you. Words and symbols that young children recognize -- i.e., McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Coke, etc. -- help to give children confidence when beginning to read. Using print in the environment to encourage literacy development helps make a connection for young children. They are able to recognize familiar signs and symbols and gain confidence in their ability to read. Parents or teachers can point out familiar signs or symbols in their environment to encourage children to recognize the connection to the symbols and reading.

Cheyenne
Jodi, how do the Illinois Early Learning Standards support literacy development in the classroom?

Jodi Scott
Cheyenne, the Illinois Early Learning Standards are a foundation for teachers to build on. They help support our curriculum planning and our guidelines for working with children ages 3-5.

IELmoderator
Chat participants, you can find the Illinois Early Learning Standards on the IEL Web site at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards/index.htm.

The Illinois Early Learning Standards are also available in Spanish at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/standards-sp/index.htm.

tx_n8v
How do you choose books to make sure the children will not be too bored or that are beneath their level?

Jodi Scott
tx_n8v, when you know your children, you are able to choose books that pique their interest and keep them involved. If children are not responding to a story you are sharing, do not hesitate to set it down and move on to something different.

IELmoderator
The transcripts of the IEL Chat sessions from 2002 and earlier in 2003 are archived on the IEL Web site. Go to the IEL Chat page at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat.htm, then scroll down the page to the section called "Past Chat Sessions." For each Chat in that section, you'll see a link for "Chat transcript." Click on that link to view the transcript for that particular ChatEditor's note: This url has changed:http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert.htm#pastchat.

Tonight's Chat session is the fifth session of 2003. The most recent Chat was on the topic of "Caring for Children with Asthma" with Janette Hoffman. The transcript of this Chat session will be uploaded to the Web site soon. Please check the Chat page at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/glick/trans.htm.

Note that IEL Chat transcripts are also available in Spanish. To find IEL Spanish Chat transcripts (Trasuntos de Chateo), go to the Spanish Chat page at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat-sp.htmEditor's note: This url has changed:http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert.htm#pastchat.

Lizz
When you have a very articulate class of 4-year-olds, how you do enhance their literacy and still maintain a developmentally appropriate curriculum?

Jodi Scott
Lizz, developmentally appropriate curriculum is curriculum that meets the needs of your students. Keep 4-year-olds engaged and active, and introduce new concepts as they are ready.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's another question we received in advance of the Chat.

How can teachers best accommodate a wide range of abilities in early literacy, with some children in class already reading and others unfamiliar with the letters of the alphabet or books?

Jodi Scott
Early childhood classrooms lend themselves to a wide variety of learners. Having the classroom environment set up in learning areas that reflect the diverse needs of children is the beginning of meeting the needs of all the children in your classroom. An open time that allows children to interact and learn in the classroom environment, with the teacher having the opportunity to work with children in small groups or one-on-one, allows for children with a wide range of abilities to progress. Reading to all children is an important part of classroom instruction no matter what the ability. Early childhood teachers should limit the amount of time spent on whole-group instruction to meet the needs of all children.

Mrs.B.
How do I enhance the literacy of the 3-year-olds in my special ed classroom who are developmentally delayed and working at about a 1-1/2-year-old language level (if they talk at all)?

Jodi Scott
Mrs. B., read with, listen to, and talk with your special needs child. Use picture books with attractive pictures to pique the child's interest in books.

IELmoderator
You can find additional resources on "Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers" in the supplement to this Chat session. This supplement is available on the IEL Web site at this URL: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/scott/sup.htm

Ivy
Isn't it enough as a parent to simply read to my child -- won't the rest of learning to read happen naturally over time? I worry that we are pushing our children too hard!

Jodi Scott
Ivy, while reading with your child is extremely important, the interactions that take place during that time are just as important! Read to, talk to, and listen to your child, and support any early literacy development that you can at home. Remember parents are their child's first teacher!

IELmoderator
As mentioned earlier, Jodi Scott is an Early Childhood Consultant with Illinois Regional Offices of Education #27, #28, and #49. She has a masters degree in early childhood education. She has taught and directed a pre-kindergarten program for eight years. She is currently a consultant for the Regional Office of Education for seven counties in Illinois. She has a passion for books that spilled over to the children in her classroom and the teachers in her workshops. Jodi has presented and provided workshops all over the state of Illinois, as well as presenting at the 2003 NAEYC conference in New York.

tx_n8v
I do day care in my home and I have a child with autism. How do I keep him interested in stories and activities because he is always on the go mentally and physically?

Jodi Scott
tx_n8v, while autism is not an area that I have focus in, when working with children with special needs, begin where they are in their abilities and work one-on-one with literacy materials that are appropriate to their level and pique their interest.

IELmoderator
Concerning autism, note that we had a recent Chat on autism. See the Chat page at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chatres.htm. Editor's note: This url has changed: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert.htm#pastchat

Resources on Autism: Handling Challenging Behaviors in Child Care and at Home, related to this Chat, are available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beytien/sup.htm.

The transcript of the Chat session on autism is available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beytien/trans.htm.

This transcript is also available in Spanish at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beytien/trans-sp.htm.

Mowger
Integrating music (singing) might be helpful for the children with learning disabilities as referred by Mrs. B and also tx_n8v.

Jodi Scott
Mowger, music is a wonderful way to enhance early literacy development in preschool-age children. I wouild encourage any educators working with preschool-age children to incorporate music into their curriculum.

Lizz
Do you have any tips on steering parents away from phonics-based programs or flash cards when it is totally inappropriate to use them, i.e., the child has no interest, etc.

Jodi Scott
Lizz, I would encourage parents and educators not to force phonics-based (or any programs) on young children. I encourage them to use strategies that engage and excite children. Positive interactions in literacy development are far more effective than forcing children to sit and listen.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's a follow-up question to your answer about music in the curriculum.

Michelle
Do you just mean music as in songs we sing and recorded music?

Jodi Scott
Michelle, any music, rhymes, finger plays, games, made-up songs, and the like all help in developing phonemic awareness and literacy skills.

IELmoderator
Remember that the IEL Web site is available not only in English but also in Spanish. The Spanish home page is at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/index-sp.htm.

Michelle
I am looking for new ways to promote literacy in my 3- to 5-year-old preschool class. We use charts to write about a subject using different colors for each child's response, read books daily, do writing on art in which they tell us about what it is, have child-made books displayed, and use labels with words for toys.

Jodi Scott
Michelle, there are many things you can do in your classroom to promote literacy development: provide books, paper, and writing utensils in all of the centers in your classroom. Encourage children to interact with literacy materials during their free choice time. Also, encourage rhyming and finger plays, and encourage children to develop and dictate their own stories.

IELmoderator
Remember that you may send a question at any time to the IEL staff. Just email your question to iel@uiuc.edu, or call us at (877) 275-3227 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and between 1 and 5 p.m. on business days.

Nancy
Ms. Scott, one of my children learned to read well on his own before his preschool teacher or his parents realized he could do so. Has anyone studied children who seem to learn to read on their own to see if this could help develop ways to help those who find it difficult?

Jodi Scott
Nancy, there has been research done that looks at strategies that good readers use to help develop those strategies in struggling readers. I am not familiar with any specific study of early readers.

IELmoderator
IEL has one more Chat session scheduled for the first half of 2003. You can view the Chat schedule on the Chat page: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/chat.htmEditor's note: This url has changed: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/askanexpert.htm#pastchat. The next scheduled Chat is Thursday, June 19, 2003, from 7 to 8 p.m. Central Time. The Chat topic is "Best Practices for Infant and Toddler Care." The guest speaker will be Debbie Trouth, Associate Director of the Child Development Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

tx_n8v
I am involved in the Beginners Reading Program that Pizza Hut offers, and I have found parents that are willing to help out and some that are not. How do I get parents more involved in their child's reading development so that their children can earn the rewards?

Jodi Scott
tx_n8v, I am familiar with classroom teachers who invite "reading buddies" from other classrooms to listen to those children who have parents that are not responsive to such programs. I also would encourage you to continue to try to involve parents in any way you can, and inform them of the importance of reading to, with, and by their children.

IELmoderator
Besides the resources on literacy found at the URL posted above, you can find information about literacy in ERIC Digests from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education:

"Language and Literacy Environments in Preschools" by Catherine E. Snow, M. Susan Burns, and Peg Griffin
http://ecap.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1999/snow99.html Editor's note: This url has changed:http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1999/snow99.html

(This Digest is also available in Spanish as "Ambientes de lenguaje y alfabetización en programas preescolares" at http://ecap.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/2002/snow02s.html.) Editor's note: This url has changed:http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/2002/snow02s.html

Lizz
Do you have any SPECIFIC ideas to give to the parents in my class about not using these phonic-type programs? I am running out of suggestions. They really think that this is a good thing.

Jodi Scott
Lizz, encourage parents to keep their children actively engaged in their activities. Assure parents that our first goal is getting children to LOVE and ENJOY books and reading.

IELmoderator
ERIC Digests on reading and literacy are available from the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication. These include "Recent Reading Initiatives: Examples of National, State, and Professional Organizations' Efforts" by Shawna Brynildssen at http://eric.indiana.edu/ieo/digests/d175.html Editor's note: This url has changed:http://reading.indiana.edu/ieo/digests/d175.htm.

Many other Digests that deal with literacy-related topics can be found in the Digest page of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication at http://eric.indiana.edu/ieo/dcat.html#reading Editor's note: This url has changed: http://reading.indiana.edu/ieo/dcat.html#reading.

Concerning the ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communications, the URL for the home page of the clearinghouse's Web site is http://eric.indiana.edu/ Editor's note: This url has changed: http://reading.indiana.edu/.

This clearinghouse has various resources on reading and literacy. Note that not all of it is related to early childhood or preschool education.

Mrs.B.
Can you point us to a good source for appropriate, interesting, simple multicultural picture books for preschoolers?

IELmoderator
There was an article published in a recent issue of the online journal, Early Childhood Research and Practice: "Examining Multicultural Picture Books for the Early Childhood Classroom: Possibilities and Pitfalls" by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese.

The URL for this article is http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v3n2/mendoza.html.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's another question that we received prior to the Chat.

What role does play have in the development of literacy?

Jodi Scott
Play is the way children learn to speak, listen, write, imagine, and communicate. Play is to children's growth and development of literacy as sunshine is to growing plants. This is the time that children freely interact with others and are exposed to words, communication, writing, getting along, and interacting with real world situations.

Nancy
Do you encourage the use of educational software or videos in developing literacy in preschool? If so, are there specific titles you would recommend?

Jodi Scott
Nancy, educational software and/or videos can be useful when used sparingly. I have used programs like JumpStart Reading and Living Storybooks when working with preschool-aged children.

IEL Editor: The URLs for information about these programs are:
http://www.greatsource.com/knowledgeadventureschool/ka/index2.cfm Editor's Note: this url is no longer active. http://www.broderbund.com/ProductGroup.asp?CID=638&s=1 Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

Mowger
I find that many day care children have a lot of knowledge that is not always apparent to the provider or the parents. Sometimes a child is too shy to participate with a small group of other children. Recently, a 2-year-old sang "A-B-C-D-E-F-G" while she was playing alone in the toyroom.

Jodi Scott
Mowger, one important aspect of working with preschool-aged children is being a good observer. We learn a lot from the children we work with (as well as our own children) by simply watching. I encourage you to take time and step back to observe the young children in your care.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's our next question.

Should I teach my child to say and recognize the alphabet before she goes to kindergarten?

Jodi Scott
Alphabet recognition is not required for entering kindergarten; however, I would encourage you to read to your child, offer your child writing utensils, talk with your child, write down stories your child tells, and do anything you can to encourage literacy development. Point out letters in your child's name and letters and print in the environment and enrich your child's curiosity with his/her surroundings. If we can support the curiosity children have and help plant the seed, literacy development and letter recognition will evolve.

IELmoderator
Here's a follow-up note.

zib
Putting paper and pencils in various play areas is a good way to encourage literacy.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's our next question:

My child is writing some before he can read. Is this unusual?

Jodi Scott
Your child is taking beginning steps in learning to read. Continue to encourage his writing development.

Lizz
How can I continue to pique interest in journaling? Their books were very popular when first introduced in January, but interest has tapered off. I have tried different prompts and writing instruments to no avail. The journals are always available in the writing center.

Jodi Scott
Lizz, maybe you could change "the look" of the journal itself or use journals with covers the children can decorate or color. Encourage children to use journals in other areas of the classroom (not just the writing center). They could write about their block structure and make menus in dramatic play or write letters to friends.

Michelle
Do you have a list of materials that are essential in a writing center and additional ideas? I have to change things weekly and have run out of ideas here.

Jodi Scott
Michelle, writing utensils and paper of any sort (different colors or textures) that attracts young children are the only essential materials needed in your writing area. Watch the children in that area and pay close attention to the materials they choose.

Ivy2
I think I read somewhere that conversation with young children -- where parents (or teachers) ask real questions, wait for the answers, and engage the child in real conversation -- is really important in their literacy development. Why is that true?

Jodi Scott
Ivy2, engaging children in real conversation is not only meaningful to you but also to them. Children want to communicate ideas they are interested in and wonder about. Oral language is a great predictor of early literacy development. Encourage conversation with your children.

Mowger
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for making these Internet live Chats possible and I look forward to next time.

IELmoderator
Mowger, thanks very much.

Cheyenne
Jodi, could you recommend an assessment system to use in my preschool? Also, is there a way I could learn to use a comprehensive assessment system through training or workshop?

Jodi Scott
Cheyenne, the system that I am most familiar with is Work Sampling Illinois, and training is offered through the Illinois Resource Center. The Work Sampling Illinois is aligned to the Illinois Early Learning Standards for children ages 3-5.

IELmoderator
Here's some more information on work sampling.

IEL sponsored a Chat on the topic of Using Work Sampling in Pre-K Settings with Sallee Beneke, Illinois Valley Community College. Information related to this Chat is available at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beneke/sup.htm.

A transcript is also available for this Chat session on Work Sampling at http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beneke/trans.htm.

This transcript is also available in Spanish at this URL: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/Chat/beneke/trans-sp.htm.

tx_n8v
Is it a good idea to put out all of your reading material, or is rotation a better idea?

Jodi Scott
tx_n8v, it depends on the classroom of children you are working with. There were years in which I could have a lot of materials accessible to the children in my classroom, and there were years that I had to limit the materials that were available. This was because when I had too much accessible to the children that were less mature, it was overwhelming for them and they stayed away from the literacy area. When I limited those materials, the children were better able to engage and interact with the literacy materials available.

Ivy2
Jodi, do you know anything about the "Early Literacy Advisory" assessment tool developed by McREL?

Jodi Scott
Ivy2, no, I am sorry. I am not familiar with that assessment tool.

Ivy2
Oops -- I sent my message too soon. It's located at http://www.mcrel.org/programs/literacy/ela/ and might be worth looking at. Editor's Note: this url is no longer active. Editor's note: See also: http://www.mcrel.org/topics/Literacy/

Jodi Scott
Ivy2, thank you for sharing this with us. I will take a look at it.

Michelle
This is my first time and I have enjoyed this learning experience.

IELmoderator
Michelle, thanks. Please join us for the next Chat. Of course, this goes for our other participants as well!

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's our next question.

My child is starting to write stories. Should I worry about spelling?

Jodi Scott
Do not worry about spelling; allow your child to develop as a story writer. Encourage your child to write and share his or her stories. Children are becoming aware of letters and their sounds and represent that in their writing. Allowing your preschool-age child to grow and develop in his or her writing without stopping to correct spelling will substantiate the development of your child's writing.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's another question.

My child always wants to read the same book over and over. Should I insist we read different ones? Please?

Jodi Scott
NO! It is a great beginning of literacy development for children to have that favorite book. Continue to read your child's favorite book and soon your child will be "reading" it to you. Finding a way to work in other books is okay too; however, do not deny the reading of the "favorite book."

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's the next question.

Does attending preschool make a difference in how early and well children learn to read?

Jodi Scott
That depends. A high-quality early childhood program can be an important factor in the development of early literacy. However, preschool is not the only place that can support early literacy in young children. If your child is getting the stimulation and exposure she or he needs at home, that can and will make the difference.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, we have two questions left. Here's the next-to-last question.

If my child does not attend preschool, will he be at a disadvantage for learning to read?

Jodi Scott
That depends. A parent's support can and will make as much difference as a preschool. If a parent is at home with a child and supports language and literacy development, the child has a great advantage when entering school, with or without a preschool setting. A high-quality preschool is a great avenue for children in encouraging and supporting success in school. However, if you do not have access to this type of preschool, your child can still be given many opportunities at home.

IELmoderator
Remember that if your question wasn't answered during the Chat, it will appear in the transcript along with a response. And you may send a question at any time to the IEL staff. Just email your question to iel@uiuc.edu, or call us at (877) 275-3227 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and between 1 and 5 p.m. on business days.

IELmoderator
Ms. Scott, here's the last question of the evening.

If my child can read before kindergarten, does that mean she will be successful in school?

Jodi Scott
While there is nothing that guarantees success in school, a child reading and enjoying it before kindergarten is a good indicator. Continue to encourage reading and writing as your child progresses through the grades. While most preschool-age children are unable to read with fluency and comprehension, it is the support of parents, teachers, and providers that will continue the growth and development of early literacy.

IELmoderator
That will bring tonight's Chat session to a close.

Thank you, Chat participants, for your interesting questions and also for your patience in waiting for responses. Please join us for IEL's next Chat.

Once again, this Chat is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2003, from 7 to 8 p.m. Central Time. The Chat topic is "Best Practices for Infant and Toddler Care." The guest speaker will be Debbie Trouth, Associate Director of the Child Development Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jodi Scott
Thank you for sharing your questions with all of us. Good luck in your endeavors in working with young children.

Ivy2
Good job, everybody! Good night!

IELmoderator
Thank you, Jodi Scott, for sharing your time and expertise with us tonight. Thanks again to all of tonight's Chat participants, and have a good evening.

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