Children must develop literacy skills so they succeed in school and work later in life. Children learn the skills needed to understand and produce language early in life. These skills allow them to have their needs met by voicing their preferences. For example, a child might want to play, which helps develop a variety of skills, such as problem solving. Children can also assert when they feel sick, tired or bored.
Emergent literacy plays an important role in the acquisition of reading skills. Children begin to notice symbols and patterns, identifying some of the letters of the alphabet--skills that serve as the foundation for their knowledge of text-based literacy.
Literacy is a part of child development. Children can develop linguistic skills that allow them to more effectively communicate with and influence others. Children develop phonological awareness throughout the emergent literacy stage. Phonological awareness involves children learning that words contain separate speech sounds. As children discover that specific letter combinations produce speech sounds, they understand how these sounds function in everyday speech.
Children can further develop phonological awareness through rhyming, alliteration and sound isolation. Sound isolation involves children separating individual sounds of words. For example, a child might notice "ca" is the first sound in "cat." Alliteration involves the repetition of the same first sound in multiple words. For example, "cats catch caps."
Emergent literacy skills expose children to fictional stories. These stories help children develop creativity and imagination, which allow them to generate new ideas. Children also learn about fundamental concepts like chronology. Chronology is the presentation of information in the order in which it happens.
Children develop an increasing vocabulary throughout emergent literacy. Learning new words helps children communicate more effectively with adults, allowing them to have their needs met. Broader vocabularies also help children learn to communicate with each other. Communication allows for the development of various social skills, including empathy.
Parents can help children develop a love for reading during the emergent literacy stage by reading themselves. When children see their parents reading, they are more likely to read themselves because children often model their behavior based on their parents. Parents should read with their children and talk about the book. Going to the library allows children to find books they like, so they're not bored with reading. They may also make a habit of using the library as a resource.