Literacy and play

Play plays a pivotal role in the development of a child’s development, including but not limited to the development of literacy.

Creating a literacy-rich environment provides children with opportunities to explore and use literacy within their daily life and routines can be facilitated through play.

A literacy rich environment means providing various opportunities for children to engage in a meaningful way.

There is importance in immersing children in play experiences which are consciously embedded with emergent literacy opportunities.

Play enables a child to learn more about their world and act out or practice experiences to build on their knowledge of the world.

When children play they can act out what they have seen, practice and gain a better understanding of their world.

Children learn by example and the experiences and opportunities that they are able to participate in whereby they can practice what they learn.

As a child grows and develops, if they have had limited or no exposure to literacy or have had only negative experiences they generally tend to be less likely to be interested in reading, literacy, etc.

• Choosing books that are good quality and include a range of text…story books, factual books, picture books, maps, etc.
• Don’t limit where books are or how they are used.
• Make sure books are readily accessible.
• Model how books are read when reading to them with children such as point to the print as well as the pictures.
• Make books with children that are of their own and their interest; Encourage writing in a playful way and in context. Remember scribbled writing and pretend is the first stage.
• Make sure there is a variety of and accessible materials….including stationary, stamps, envelopes, etc.
• Provide opportunities for them to copy what you do….. this can include practicing their name.
• Invite kids to have a sentence or story attached to their work/paintings/etc.
• Use props in play that allow children to recount stories and role play. E.g. dress ups, felt boards, etc.
• Make up silly rhymes and riddles.
• Write and send letters.
• Display and talk about maps.
• Use the computer.
• Use materials and tools that contain print.

• Provide many varied opportunities to interact or be involved in.
• Have a wide range of literature available.
• Share the experiences.
• Conversation is a good way to connect and allow the child to feel involved.
• Use everyday tasks to excel their experience and learning. Tasks such as bathing, shopping, etc.
• Provide opportunities that support literacy through science, dramatic play, art, etc.
• Model, scaffold and extend on  literacy concepts through interactions and engagement with children.
• Draw children’s attention to literacy concepts when they are engaged in play.This can be done for example, when they are packing away and highlighting the signs, labels and print.
• Encourage a child to participate in the everyday such as crossing off the day on a calendar, etc.