Few children learn to love books themselves. Someone must lure them into the wonderful world of the written word, someone must show them the way.
-Orville Prescott A Father Reads to His Child

Overview

The design of the environment plays a critical role in promoting early literacy skills both at school and at home. Although our everyday environment is usually filled with print, making books and other reading materials along with writing tools and materials accessible to young children will help promote early literacy. Adults also serve as literacy models to their children as they create a literacy rich environment. Children need access to appropriate print and writing materials in an environment that encourages reading and writing. Although the classroom environment will look different than the home environment, children benefit from planned activities and materials in each.

What's in a Name?

One of the first words young children recognize is their own name. Adults can encourage early writing skills and name recognition by giving children a purpose for writing their name. A sign-in sheet for a classroom or a sign-up sheet for a popular center, such as the technology center, are examples of purposeful writing at school. Adults both at home and school can get children in the habit of writing their name by asking them to sign their artwork or put their name on any paper they use to make lists or do other writing. Putting a child's name on objects of clothing or toys also help children understand that their name serves a purpose. Use of charts, such as attendance and helper charts, are another way to encourage name recognition.

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Print in the Environment

Signs and labels are a natural part of children's environment. Children will recognize signs and words that they see on a regular basis. The words, "Stop" and "McDonald's" are a familiar part of most children's environments. These may be a couple of the first words children recognize on signs. Labels on cereal boxes or other food items are also familiar words. By recognizing these words, children begin to realize words in the environment have meaning. They will be encouraged to look for other familiar words to "read."

Project ELIPSS' activities provide other ideas for enhancing the literacy environment at home and school.

	View "Adding Print in the Environment" PDF

	View "Using Photos of Words in Our World" PDF

By labeling common items in the classroom teachers can help promote children's literacy skills. Labels can also serve specific purposes, such as indicating which shelf is for the puzzles or specific toys. Children will begin to associate the word with the item or toy as they put away the play objects in the room.

[Graphic of signs or labels in classroom]

Other ideas on setting up the classroom environment are contained in the following activities.

	View "Using Print to Organize the Environment" PDF

	View "Adding Print Props to Learning Center Areas" PDF

Since children enjoy activities related to sending and receiving mail, a post office can be set up inside the classroom to encourage emergent literacy.

[Graphic of mail truck and mail bags from Bushnell class. ]

	View “Post Office" PDF

Project ELIPSS has developed specific activities related to displaying and using print in the classroom and home environment.

	View "Observing Print in our World" PDF
	View "Books, Books, and MORE Books" PDF

Home and Classroom Connection

Early childhood programs can help young children gain early literacy skills by providing families with activity ideas and suggestions for materials needed at home. Prop or activity bags are a popular way to connect classroom literacy activities with continued activities at home. Children enjoy taking the bags home and sharing all the materials with family members. Bags can center on classroom themes or a specific book theme. These bags may spark children and parents' interest in making their own activity bags with books they have at home.

[Graphic of book and activity bag]

	View "Take Home Book and Activity Bag/Parent Pantry" PDF

Playing with Print

Children usually enjoy playing with reading materials that are found commonly in the environment. Store advertisements are a good example, since most households receive these in the mail every week. Activities can be planned around these materials to encourage literacy skills. Children will learn that words are used to identify objects and places and they will begin to "read" environmental print. The following activity could be done at school or at home.

Where Does It Belong?

Children cut out pictures from store ads and sort them into groups, such as food, clothing, and toys. These pictures can then be pasted onto pages to make a book.

Some children may be able to sort pictures by beginning letter sound. The pictures can then be made into an alphabet book.