This Fourth Edition of Language and Literacy in the Early Years has been fully revised and updated to reflect current professional interests and the latest developments in the field. The book provides comprehensive coverage of issues in language, literacy and learning, focusing on the age range from birth to seven years. New material covers theory of mind, key persons, and social and emotional dimensions of learning. The author added material on difficulties with language development, phonics and new literacies. Key terms, further reading and a revised layout make the book accessible to students. The author emphasizes the joy and creativity involved in supporting young children′s development as speakers, writers and readers. While taking account of current initiatives and programmes, the author supports flexible teaching methods in what is a complex teaching and learning process. The book is fully illustrated with examples and photos from early childhood settings. This book is essential reading for primary and early years students and practitioners in the field of language and literacy including nursery nurses, classroom assistants and foundation stage teachers.

Shortlisted for the 2013 Nursery World Awards! This is a focused text on early years′ language and literacy for all students studying for degrees and foundation degrees in early childhood, early years and related disciplines and for candidates on EYPS pathways. It discusses language acquisition and development and covers development theory, talking with babies and the factors that affect development. Practical guidance on how to support children′s language acquisition through rhymes, songs, story books and storytelling helps students see how theory links to practice. The text also examines the question ′what comes before phonics?′ and includes interactive activities and theory focus features. About the Early Childhood Studies Series This series has been designed to support students of Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines in popular modules of their course. Each text takes a focused look at a specific topic and approaches it in an accessible and user-friendly way. Features have been developed to help readers engage with the text and understand the subject from a number of different viewpoints. Activities pose questions to prompt thought and discussion and ′Theory Focus′ boxes examine essential theory close-up for better understanding. This series is also applicable to EYPS candidates on all pathways. Other titles in the series include Early Childhood Studies, Childhood in Society for Early Childhood Studies, Child Development for Early Childhood Studies and Exploring Play for Early Childhood Studies.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means, only with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction, in accordance with the terms of licenses issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers. --Book Jacket.

An integrated language arts approach to literacy development that brings early childhood perspectives on how children learn in pre-kindergarten though grade three, together with explicit teaching of literacy skills and strategies teachers need to make it all work. Pre-service and in-service teachers get a wealth of valuable information for making children active participants in the process of literacy development with this integrated approach to language arts. The book encourages teaching reading, writing, listening, thinking, and viewing at the same time, using each skill to develop the others, and discusses both constructivist problem-solving teaching and more explicit systematic instruction. Through both theoretical and research-based rationales, plus extensive practical applications, renowned author Lesley Mandel Morrow presents literacy development as an active process between children and adults to create meaning and real purpose–and helps pre- and in-service teachers grasp the scope and complexity of early literacy development. This comprehensive, balanced approach to literacy teaching and learning covers oral language development, word study, phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, listening and writing. The reader is provided with a complete picture of early literacy development.

"This book emphasizes an integrated language arts approach to teaching young children literacy, focusing on balanced, constructivist and direct instruction." Literacy Development in the Early Years presents a theoretical and research-based rationale for its contents, as well as practical applications based on that theory. It embraces integrated language arts and an interdisciplinary approach to literacy development as it addresses developing writing, reading, and oral language in the home and school curriculum. The use of children's literature is emphasized as the most important instructional materials and the joy of early literacy experiences is stressed to ensure lifelong reading habits. Literacy development is viewed as an active process between children and adults to create meaning and real purpose." For anyone interested in early childhood language arts.

This core text for early childhood studies and early years students focuses on communication, language and literacy in the pre-school years. The text begins by discussing language acquisition and development covering development theory, talking with babies and the factors that affect development. It goes on to give guidance on how to support children's language acquisition through rhymes, songs, story books and storytelling. Finally, it examines the roots of literacy and asks 'what comes before phonics?' Interactive activities are included throughout to engage the reader and research focus features help students make essential links between theory and practice.

This book presents a developmental view of language, the emergence of literacy and the role of literature in the early years. The age-range covered is 0-6 years, a period characterised by unparalleled speed and complexity of growth in thinking, language, social and cultural awareness and physical skills. Perspectives on language, literature and literacy in the early years are combined in one accessible volume. Chapters on communication, play, narrative and national literacy requirements provide a helpful way into some complex issues. The book uses child observations and case studies to demonstrate the learning that goes on in a variety of homes and early years settings and challenges many current shibboleths in the field of early years language and literacy. The book will be valuable reading for all adults seeking to support young children's language and literacy learning - parents, teachers, nursery nurses, childminders, playgroup leaders and other early years professionals.