Research and Articles

Research & Articles: Teaching Preschoolers Written Language

Marilyn Lopes
Extension Specialist, Family Life Education
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
University of Massachusetts

When you read to children, in addition to hearing a story, they almost automatically learn about written language as well. They learn that the words in a particular written story are always in the same order and on the same page. Can't you just hear preschoolers telling you that you've read it wrong, that's not the way it goes! They may also learn that print goes from left to right and that there are spaces between words. These understandings, which will be important when a child begins formal schooling, develop very naturally when the child sits on your lap and follows your finger across the print while you point to the words you say.

Take every opportunity to teach the children in your care about language. Use the following activities to encourage preschoolers to learn about letters and to use written and spoken language to their advantage.

• Preschoolers enjoy dictating stories or journals to adults. These can include descriptions of outings and activities the child has enjoyed, as well as stories you and the child make up together. They can be illustrated with snapshots or the child's drawings. Mementos such as birthday cards, fall leaves, or movie ticket stubs can also be included. You will probably
  find that the journal is a child's favorite book.
  
• Making lists for shopping trips. Preschoolers can help by writing the words - with assistance from older children or adults in spelling as well as forming the letters - or drawing a picture of each item. Encourage children to use what they know about letters and the sounds they stand forto spell as best they can. Because this may take forever, it's not recommended if you're in a hurry. Preschoolers, however, are thrilled if they can help you to do something important.
  
• Magnetic letters, available in most toy stores, can be used to help children spell words and messages. Because the letters will stick to the refrigerator, they may be an ideal thing for child to use while meals or snacks are prepared.
  
• A letter scrapbook is a long-term project particularly good for rainy days. Begin by labeling each page of a scrapbook with a letter of the alphabet. Provide the children with a supply of old magazines so they can cut out pictures of things that begin with each letter and paste them on the appropriate page. If you label the pictures for them, they will have a
  handmade picture dictionary.
  
• Children like to make snaky letters from modeling clay or cookie dough. Begin by rolling out snake-shaped pieces that can be formed into letter shapes. If you are using cookie dough, be sure that enclosed letter shapes, such as "O", "B", or "R" have plenty of space inside the circle since the circles tend to close up when baked.
  
• The most important thing during the preschool years is for adults and children to enjoy each encounter with reading and writing. Laughing about the mistakes you and the children make will be a better motivator than reprimanding the child for getting it wrong. Enjoy spending time with and informally teaching children. Research has shown that children learn as much or more from informal activities in day care or at home than they do from commercial workbooks adults sometimes buy for children.

DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials in whole or in part for educational purposes only (not for profit beyond the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is included:

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. (1993). Teaching preschoolers about written language. In M. Lopes (Ed.) CareGiver News (June, p.4). Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension.

Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved by the author.

COPYRIGHT PERMISSION ACCESS
Gretchen May
Draper Hall
Univeristy of Massachusetts
40 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9244
VOICE: 413-577-0332
FAX: 413-545-1002
E-MAIL: gmay@umext.umass.edu