In nursery, children participate in literacy learning, including engagement with books and stories, which forms the basis for later reading skills.
Understanding Early Years Literacy
Typically, literacy in the early years is split into reading and writing. This foundational approach acknowledges that developing comfort and familiarity with language, print, and stories is the starting point for both skills. The communications learning area within early education supports these key developmental stages.
How Reading Skills are Introduced in Nursery
Rather than focusing on decoding words or fluent reading, the approach to literacy in nursery centers on building essential pre-reading skills and fostering a positive relationship with books and language. As highlighted in early years practices, at nursery, learning literacy can be in the form of looking at books and stories.
This means that children engage in activities designed to:
- Build Vocabulary: Hearing new words in stories expands their understanding and language use.
- Develop Print Awareness: Learning that text has meaning and that stories are read from left to right.
- Enhance Listening Skills: Following along with a story improves concentration and comprehension.
- Foster a Love for Reading: Positive experiences with engaging books encourage a lifelong interest.
These activities lay crucial groundwork, even if children are not expected to read independently by the time they leave nursery.
Foundational Reading Activities
The "looking at books and stories" mentioned in the reference encompasses a range of beneficial activities:
- Shared Reading: Teachers read aloud, using voices and expressions to bring stories to life.
- Book Exploration: Children are given access to a variety of books to look at independently or with friends.
- Storytelling and Retelling: Children are encouraged to talk about the stories they've heard or create their own narratives.
- Rhymes and Songs: Engaging with rhythmic language helps develop phonological awareness, a key pre-reading skill.
- Picture Walks: Discussing the illustrations in a book before reading helps children predict content and build comprehension.
These engaging methods ensure that the introduction to reading is fun and age-appropriate, focusing on the process of becoming literate.
Summary of Nursery's Contribution to Reading
- Focus: Foundational literacy skills, including pre-reading activities.
- Method: Primarily through interactive engagement with books and stories.
- Outcome: Prepares children for more formal reading instruction later by building essential skills and interest.
In essence, while nursery doesn't typically teach children to read fluently, it provides the vital early exposure and skills necessary for reading development. For more information on early literacy development, you can research early literacy development resources.
