Early learning preschools in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque can be instrumental in helping your child develop essential early literacy skills. Early childhood literacy can unlock a world of knowledge and opportunities, empowering children to succeed in both their academic and personal journeys.
At Covenant Schools, our passionate teachers understand that you want the best for your child, including quality care that sets them up for academic success. Our Rio Rancho preschool education program can set the foundations for your child’s literacy development and much more.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why early childhood literacy is critical, the methods used to teach literacy, and how you can support your child’s literacy development at home.
What is literacy?
Before we dive into teaching methods, let’s define what literacy is. Literacy is the ability to read and write – but more importantly, it’s the educational foundation for lifelong learning. When children enter school with a strong educational foundation in literacy, their chances for academic success increase significantly.
Early childhood literacy refers to the development of language and literacy skills in children from birth to age five. This includes the following competencies:
- Oral language
- Vocabulary
- Phonemic awareness
- Letter recognition
- Comprehension
Literacy development begins at home and continues through school and beyond.
Literacy is also crucial for a child’s social and emotional development. Confidence in their ability to communicate and comprehend written material can improve their self-esteem, social skills, and overall well-being.
Why is early childhood literacy important?
Studies have shown that children exposed to literacy activities at a young age are more likely to develop strong reading and writing skills later in life. These skills, in turn, lead to better performance in school and increased opportunities for success as adults.
Early childhood literacy is critical because it sets the educational foundation for further learning and helps school-aged children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills.
How is early childhood literacy taught?
Now that you understand the importance of early childhood literacy, let’s explore some of the teaching methods and educational experiences used at early childhood learning centers.
Reading Out Loud
Reading aloud is one of the most impactful teaching methods used to promote early childhood literacy. It includes reading engaging and age-appropriate stories to children.
Research has shown that reading aloud helps children develop essential language usage skills, such as vocabulary development, grammar, and sentence structure. Early exposure to reading reinforces these skills and contributes to academic success.
Letter Recognition and Word Games
Preschool programs use age-appropriate word games relevant to children’s daily lives as a stimulating method for literacy development. This method helps children to understand and remember new words in a fun and enjoyable way.
Types of word games used in childhood learning centers include word recognition, spelling, and vocabulary games. Teachers use toys, flashcards, and picture books to encourage children to play the games and learn new words.
Play-Based Learning
Preschools employ play-based learning as a dynamic approach to help children develop literacy skills by integrating fun and interactive activities for children that promote language acquisition, reading readiness, and a love for learning through play.
Play-based learning also promotes creativity and critical thinking in children through games, crafts, and other activities.
Phonics Instruction
Phonics is a method that involves breaking down words into their component sounds and recognizing those sounds in context. This method has been proven to be effective in improving reading skills.
Through phonics instruction, preschool educational programs equip children with the essential ability to decode words and comprehend texts, which is critical for academic success.
Writing Activities
Writing activities help children develop essential writing skills, such as proper pencil grip, letter formation, and spelling. These activities can include drawing, tracing, and copying letters and words.
Writing activities also encourage preschoolers to express their thoughts and ideas, reinforcing the link between spoken and written language.
Rhyming
Another teaching method used in programs for preschool is rhyming. Rhyming is an essential technique for helping children develop phonological awareness, which is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in words.
Rhyming also supports children’s memory and listening skills. It’s introduced to children through nursery rhymes, songs, poems, and storytelling.
Technology-Based Learning
Preschool programs also use modern technology to promote early childhood literacy. They use computer programs, interactive whiteboards, and other educational software to teach children reading, writing, and phonemic awareness skills.
Technology-based learning is fun, interactive, and engaging for preschool and pre-k students, often incorporating colorful visuals and interactive elements.
How can you support literacy development at home?
Parents can also support their child’s literacy development at home. The following are some simple ways to incorporate literacy through committed family activities:
- Create a routine that incorporates reading to your child every day.
- Encourage your child to participate in writing activities such as labeling items.
- Develop your child’s language skills through conversations and questions.
- Expose your child to various reading materials, such as books and magazines.
Supporting literacy development at home is crucial as it lays the foundation for a lifelong love of reading and empowers children with essential skills for success in school and beyond.
Prepare Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning With Our Early Learning Preschool in Rio Rancho
At Covenant Schools, we provide the best experience for children through a safe and nurturing environment that intertwines academic success with faith-based principles. We want your child to have the best chance of becoming a responsible and successful adult in everything they do.
That’s why our Christian Rio Rancho preschool utilizes the ABEKA curriculum to provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. Our licensed child care center offers five different educational programs to meet the unique needs of children from infancy through pre-kindergarten.
Contact our early learning preschools in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque to learn more about our programs today!