Language Development And Literacy

Course Description

This course examines language and literacy development from infancy through the primary grades. Students explore pertinent issues of curriculum, pedagogy, and learning in relation to young children’s reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing practices in a variety of environments (e.g., home, school, community).

Course Aims

The overall aim is to demonstrate an understanding of planning appropriate experiences for children that support the development of the specific language and literacy skills in the areas of listening and understanding, speaking and communicating, phonological awareness, book knowledge and appreciation, print awareness and concepts, early writing, and alphabet knowledge.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to:

1. To display knowledge of experiences for children to engage in play that incorporates literacy tools and heightens awareness of spoken and written language in culturally respectful environments.

2. Demonstrate effective strategies for involving families in supporting language and literacy in young children.

3. Demonstrate and knowledge of appropriate literature and other learning materials for diverse learners and respond individual, cultural, and linguistic variation among.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of tools for assessing children’s language development and literacy learning.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply research to language and foundational literacy skills and growth, print awareness, language acquisition, and communication skills.

6. Demonstrate a familiarity with culturally sensitive instruction

7. Analyze the interrelation of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and language arts areas.

8. Discuss and evaluate the importance of children's literature in developing literacy skills.