Planning Literacy Environments for Diverse Preschoolers

"Emergent literacy" is defined as the developmental process beginning at birth in which children acquire the foundation for reading and writing, including language, listening comprehension, concepts of print, alphabetic knowledge, and phonological awareness. The environment within which emergent literacy skills develop is also an important consideration. Children who are immersed in literacy-rich environments learn about language, reading, and writing by participating in meaningful activities such as handling books and listening to stories read aloud. Teachers recognize the impact that books and book reading can have in the development of early literacy skills for young children. They also realize that teachers are responsible for ensuring that children are exposed to literacy and literacy-related concepts. Preparing the classroom, selecting appropriate books, and engaging the children during book reading sessions are all important aspects of good literacy practice. This article discusses these considerations for teachers of young children. (Contains 2 tables.)