Early Literacy: Then and Now

What do these three things have in common: Ring-around-the-Rosy, a picture book, and labels on a shelf where a toy belongs? Did you guess they all promote early literacy? Singing a song or nursery rhyme increases a child’s vocabulary. Looking at a picture book with children teaches them simple things such as reading from left to right and turning the pages that way as well. Placing labels on shelves where toys belong introduces print, allowing children to associate the word with the object. Early literacy is not just about reading to children at a young age. Through extensive research, I cover the history of early literature, the core issues, national and local programs developed to effect results, and suggestions for individuals and center activities. This paper fulfilled B. Peister\u27s Honor Contract for Honors English 232. Her faculty supervisor was Professor Marilyn Senter of Johnson County Community College