The 6 Early Literacy Skills

Children’s LibrarianLexington Public Library

llatiff@lexpublib.org

Lowena Latiff

Story Times with

Purpose and Punch:

The 6 Early Literacy Skills

Every Child Ready to Read

Saroj Ghotighttp://www.earlylit.net/

Why use the 6 literacy skills?

They allow us to articulate the value of exposing children to books, songs, rhymes and activities.

1.Print Awareness2.Print Motivation3.Vocabulary4.Phonological

Awareness5.Letter Knowledge6.Narrative Skills

1. Print Awareness

Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and how to follow the words on a page.

• board and cloth books to handle

• Large and clear font • Words that are clearly• defined on the page• point out words in

book and in the child’s environment

2. Phonological Awareness

Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.

• Rhyming books• rhymes, songs, silly

sounds• Repetition of sounds,

words or phrases• Rhythm

3. Vocabulary

NounsVerbsAdjectivesAdverbs

• Picture books use vocabulary not commonly used in everyday speech.

• Compare to Beginning Reader books with controlled vocabulary

4. Print Motivation

Being interested in andenjoying books.

• Board books• Pop-up books• Non-fiction of interest

to child• Bright illustrations • Age appropriate level

5. Letter Knowledge

Able to recognize the letters of the alphabet

• High color contrast books

• Shape books• Alphabet books

6. Narrative Skills

Be able to describe a sequence of events or tell a story

Simple process books

Easy to remember sequence of events

Repetition of the same story

Story Time Components:•Books•Rhymes & Songs•Props•Craft/Activity

Print Awareness

Print Motivation

Letter Knowledge

Vocabulary

Phonological Awareness

Narrative Skills

Finger plays and songs

Support the skills Enhance learning with play Music engages the entire brain

Print Motivation/Print Awareness

Leads child to books

Rain is falling downSplash!Rain is falling downSplash!Softly, softly,very softlyRain is falling downSplash!

Vocabulary

Introduces and incorporates new words in songs and rhymes

Put your finger on your nosePut your finger on your nose,On your nose. Put your finger on your nose,On your nose.Put your finger on your nosePut your finger on your nosePut your finger on your nose…body parts

Phonological Awareness

Most finger plays and songs illustrate this

One little babyOne little baby rocking in a tree2 little babies splashing in the sea3 little babies crawling on the

floor4 little babies banging on the

door5 little babies playing hide and

seek.Keep your eyes closed tightUntil I say…Peek!

Letter Knowledge

Hearing the letter sounds repeated

Have visuals when singing song or doing fingerplay

Peas Porridge HotPeas porridge hotPeas porridge coldPeas porridge in the potNine days oldYuck!

B-I-N-G-O

Narrative Skills

Easy sequence of events to remember and echo back

Wind Mill songIf I could have a windmillA windmill, a windmillIf I could have a windmillI know what I would do.…pump some water…have a duck pond…wings flap…windmill

Lion and Lamb by Barbara Brenner

Narrative Skills

Puppets and propsNarrative Skills

5 little ducks went out to play

Flannel Boards

Narrative Skills

Crafts/Activities

Little Mouse, Little MouseLittle mouse, little mouseAre you in the _______ house.

Displays

Readers Advisory and Book Talking

Handouts and Bibliographies

Handout with literacy skills and definition to hand out to parents and caregivers.

• Story time handouts can list books and which literacy skill they reinforce.

• Have handout to give to patrons while book talking

Thank you