Learning the basics of reading through Play!! Dr. Gayle Bortnem
Associate Professor [email protected] Northern State University
SD Early Childhood Conference, Pierre SD April, 2013 1
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Test 1. Can a person be successful in life if they cannot read
or write? Is it really that important? 2. What are the 4 basic ways
to build literacy skills? 3. When is the best time (age)for our
brains to learn literacy? 4. To be successful in reading and
writing, research says there are basic skills that are needed; can
you name some? 5. What is the most effective way to teach language
and literacy to young children? 2
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Skills to help develop successful readers & writers 1.
Phonological Awareness-hear and distinguish individual sounds in
words and rhymes. 2. Alphabetic Principle-sounds of speech are
represented by one or more letters of the alphabet and know letters
names. 3. Good Vocabulary-oral language understanding and ability
to use words to express themselves 3
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What is the most effective way to teach literacy to young
children? Through Play 4
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Lets learn from nature How and what do animals learn to
survive? (go to youtube and check out video about animals playing
to learn survival strategies). 5
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To survive in todays society, our children must know how to
read. If the best way for children to learn is through play, what
are some ways teachers/parents can build reading and writing
skills? 6
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The best play experiences are; Hands-on; Experiential and
should involve childrens hands or whole bodies. They learn through
movement! Sensory-oriented; Should involve their senses as this is
how they experience and make sense of the world. Process-oriented;
Young children live in the moment and for them the JOY is doing it
(process) and not really the end result (product). Open-ended/Child
directed; Children should be able to decide how they want to play
and how long. SO. 7
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Stages of Play Development Solitary-Isolated play Parallel
Watches others play and plays near them Imitates actions of another
child Watches others play and attempts to join briefly Plays simple
group games (e.g. Ring around the Rosie) Can usually play
cooperatively, but may need assistance Takes turns and shares
without supervision Plays cooperatively with up to 2 children for
at least 15 minutes Plays cooperatively in large group games.
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Adults/teachers/parents roles are to; Set up the environment.
Follow the childs lead-sometimes be a partner in play. OR step
back, get out of the way and observe. Let the children play in
their own way and own time. These are great opportunities for
documenting what they say or do. 9
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South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines for Language &
Literacy STANDARD 1 Reading Through their explorations, play, and
social interactions, children use. skills and strategies to get
meaning from print. STANDARD 2 Writing Through their explorations,
play, and social interactions, children use writing. and drawing as
means of communication. STANDARD 3 Listening and Phonological
Awareness Through their explorations, play, and social
interactions, children listen, identify,. and respond to
environmental sounds, directions and conversations, and have.
phonological awareness. STANDARD 4 Speaking/Communicating and Oral
Language Development Through their explorations, play, and social
interactions, children successfully. communicate for multiple
purposes. STANDARD 5 Learning New Languages Through their
explorations, play, and social interactions children demonstrate.
an understanding that there are multiple languages and begin to
communicate. in a language other than their home language. 10
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Phonological Awareness- hear and distinguish individual sounds
in words and rhymes. 1. Sir Rhymes a lot-puppet 11
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12 Example Role Play Rhyming Words
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Alphabetic Principle- sounds of speech are represented by one
or more letters of the alphabet and know letters names. The
alphabet store Alphabet books 13
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Dr. Jeans 14
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Good Vocabulary- oral language understanding and ability to use
words to express themselves. 1. Shopping lists 2. Friends 3.
Charades 15
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Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening Reading and re-reading
stories Acting them out 16 Hickery, dickery dock Jack be nimble
Three blind mice Humpty dumpty
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Resources Araujo, N. and Aghayan, C. (2006). Easy Songs for
Smooth Transitions in the Classroom. Redleaf Press. Church, E.
(2004). Circle-Time Activities-Language Building. Scholastic.
Feldman, J. (1999). Ready, Set, Read! Crystal Springs Books; New
Hampshire Herr, Judy. and Larson, Yvonne. (2004). Creative
Resources for the early childhood Classroom. 4 th Edition.
NY:Thomson-Demar Learning. Hohmann, M. (2002). Fee, Fie, Phonemic
Awareness. High Scope Press. Jackman, H.L. (2012). Early Education
Curriculum-A Child's Connection to the World. 5th Edition. Albany:
Delmar Publishers. Moomaw,S. & Hieronymus, B. More than
Letters-Literacy Activities for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First
Grade. Vukelich, C., Christie, J.,& Enz., B. (2012). Helping
Young Children Learn Language and Literacy - Birth Through
Kindergarten. (3 rd Ed). Redleaf Press. 17