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Chapter  2:  Emergent  Literacy

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Oral language and emergent literacy (pre-reading) are strongly linked: strength in oral language facilitates children’s pre-reading skills.  Playing with the sounds of language even before you introduce symbols (letters) is fun and introduces your child to the foundational skills needed for later reading acquisition.  


Children feel a sense of accomplishment when they can master recognition of the symbols of reading: knowing the names of the letters of the alphabet and being able to recite the alphabet song delight both parent and child.  A new world of information is available to children when they “break the code” of reading by matching sounds and letters to sound out words.