Factors that influence literacy development free essay sample

Children all learn to read at their own pace, however, there are several factors that help a child master the skills needed to read successfully. Classroom environment, parental beliefs, time spent reading with a child and vocabulary development all play a role in a childs literacy development. Classroom Environment A literacy-rich classroom environment exposes children to written and oral language in a wide variety of ways and gives children the opportunity to develop their literacy skills. Access to a wide and frequently rotating range of books exposes children to literacy and encourages children to read independently. A well-trained teacher provides support and literacy instruction to each student, and children are able to build their skills through group activities with their peers. Parental Beliefs Parental thoughts on literacy development are another factor, notes the Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy website (literacyencyclopedia. ca). Parents who understand the importance of reading and literacy development are more likely to be supportive of their childs literacy than parents who do not understand the need for certain literacy-based activities, such as phonics or phonemic awareness lessons. We will write a custom essay sample on Factors that influence literacy development or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In addition, parents who enjoy reading themselves, and do so frequently, are more likely to engage their children in literacy-based activities. Read Alouds Reading out loud to a child frequently has a significant impact on literacy development by exposing the child to books and the function of print. When paired with a discussion of the story, a read aloud allows the child to develop comprehension skills by listening to an advanced reader summarize story events and answering simple questions about the books plot. The Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy website notes that parents who have a positive and secure relationship with their children have more meaningful interactions when reading together, leading to additional support of literacy development. Vocubulary Development Children must have a basic understanding of vocabulary in order to acquire reading skills, especially comprehension. Children who are involved in conversations, especially those involving events that are not currently taking place, typically develop their vocabulary quickly, as do those exposed to a range of vocabulary at both home and school. Children coming from low socio-economic status homes are less likely to be exposed to a wide range of vocabulary skills, notes the Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy website, and these parents should try to use more varied vocabulary when talking to their children to support literacy development.