Emerging readers

Emerging literacy describes the gradual, ongoing process of learning to understand and use language that begins at birth and continues through the early childhood years (i.e., through to age 8). Because children have been learning language since birth, most are ready to move to the next step, mastering conventional reading and writing. To become effective readers and writers children need to; recognize the written symbols letters and words used in reading and writing, write letters and form words by following conventional rules, use routine skills and thinking and reasoning abilities to create meaning while reading and writing.

The conventional rules governing how to write letters and form words include; writing letters so they face in the correct direction, using upper and lower case versions, spelling words correctly, and putting spaces between words.

One of the critical routine skills is phonemic awareness, the ability to associate specific sounds with specific letters and letter combinations. Research has shown that phonemic awareness is the best predictor of early reading skills. Phonemes, the smallest units of sounds, form syllables, and words are made up of syllables. Children who understand that spoken language is made up of discrete sounds, phonemes and syllables, find it easier to learn to read.