Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education is a comprehensive textbook for all students studying literacy and language subjects in early childhood education and primary degrees. Covering an age range from 0 to 8 years the book encompasses the four main early childhood contexts of: the family and community; childcare; the pre-school years, and the earlly years of school. Current, and with reference to the Australian Curriculum, the text is based on the latest research and theories, complemented by practical strategies and activities designed to equip pre-service educators with the skills they need to feel confident about their work in early childhood education environments.

Table of Contents

PART 1: YOUNG CHILDREN AND LANGUAGE 1. Understanding Oral Language 2. Theories and Phases of Oral Language Development 3. Early Childhood Settings and Oral Language Learning and Development 4. Key Early Childhood Learning Contexts and Oral Language 5. Learning Experiences and Activities for Speaking and Listening 6. Language, Thinking and Learning 7. Assessment: Speaking and Listening PART 2: UNDERSTANDING LITERACY: READING & WRITING 8. Understanding Literacy: Definitions and Theoretical Perspectives 9. Understanding Reading 10. Phonological Awareness, Graphophonic Relationships and Sight Words 11. Strategies for Teaching Reading 12. Vocabulary for Reading and Writing 13. Reading for Comprehension 14. Developing Reading Fluency PART 3: LEARNING TO WRITE 15. Introduction to Writing 16. Writing Purpose and Text Organisation 17. The Writing Conventions: Grammar and Punctuation 18. Spelling and Handwriting 19. Key Strategies for Teaching Writing 20. Writing Experiences and Activities 21. Writing: Assessment and Evaluation PART 4: FRAMING LANGUAGE AND LITERACY LEARNING 22. Children's Literature 23. Visual and Critical literacy 24. Literacy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 25. Connecting with Families 26. Planning for Language and Literacy Teaching and Learning