Example of how to build in literacy
Encourage children to show their understanding of a story through acting out the story, or through art.
What this might sound like with children
‘Do you remember what made the kangaroo curious?’
[child’s response]
‘Yes, he spotted something in the grass. What colour are you going to choose to draw the grass?’
Example of how to build in literacy
Provide opportunities for children to develop an understanding of books and other texts.
What this might sound like with children
‘This is the cover of the book and here is the title. These words tell us what the story is called.’
---
‘Let’s use the map to try and find the city that we live in! Can you see how each town is labelled with its name? What town are we looking for?’
---
‘The label is listing all of the ingredients so we know what is in it!’
[child’s response]
‘That is right. It is also showing us the quantities, and cooking directions.’
[child’s response]
‘See here? It says: two tablespoons.’
Example of how to build in literacy
Encourage children to share what they are doing and thinking.
What this might sound like with children
‘Would the rabbit like more carrots? What else would the rabbit like to eat?’
---
‘Where are the dolls going today?’
[child’s response]
‘Who are they with?’
[child’s response]
‘How will they get there?’
Example of how to build in literacy
Provide opportunities for social interactions where children can practice speaking and listening and see how written words are used in our lives.
What this might sound like with children
‘Let’s go to the shop. What do we need to take with us to remember what to buy?’
[child’s response]
‘Let’s write a list of groceries to buy. What should we put on it?’
[child’s response]
‘We’ve arrived at the shop, let’s say, ‘Good morning … we would like to buy some food today.’
[child’s response]
‘Can I please buy these items? How much does this cost?’
Example of how to build in literacy
Build on children’s vocabulary in all learning experiences including those with science or maths focus.
What this might sound like with children
‘This is the plant’s stem. Can you see in the centre the flower has a stamen?’
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‘That hole is so big! You could also say it’s enormous. What other words could you use to explain how big it is?’
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‘Do you think the car will go faster down this ramp or that one?’
[child’s response]
‘Why do you think it will do this?’
[child’s response]
‘This is called predicting.’
Example of how to build in literacy
Provide opportunities for children to hear how sounds in words rhyme.
What this might sound like with children
‘I’ve got my hat. Can you tell me another word that rhymes with hat?’
[child’s response]
‘Yes, cat rhymes with hat.’
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‘I’m making a sausage with my playdough. S-s-s-sausage starts with an “s” sound.’
Example of how to build in literacy
Let children experiment with a wide range of resources to practice mark making.
What this might sound like with children
‘I like how you are using your fingers to draw patterns in the sand. This looks like a letter “O” for Olivia.’
Example of how to build in literacy
Include opportunities to develop an understanding of different types and formats of text including digital and print, fiction and non-fiction.
What this might sound like with children
- ‘This book tells us how plants grow. Can you see the diagram? It tells us the part of the plant and how it changes from a seed.’
- ‘It is called a recipe. It lists all the ingredients and the amounts. What else does it tell us?’
