Joyful Experiences in Early Literacy

11/29/2023

Joyful Experiences in Early Literacy

It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.
Fred Rogers, American television personality, 1928–2003

In her book, The Whole Child Alphabet, Stacy Benge explains, “If you are wondering how young children learn about the world and gain background knowledge, the answer is through child-led play!…If a child is repeating an action or a play scenario, there is a reason, there is a need for it. Maybe they are trying to figure something out. It might be they want to improve upon something. Or perhaps they just truly enjoy the experience. Whatever it may be, we need to trust that children are following their instincts and create an environment that encourages that.”

Stacy Benge reminds us that the adventure into early literacy for children can facilitate moments of creative expression, experimentation, and wonder.

Movement, repetition, physicality, and sound all contribute to rich learning experiences for young children.

Stacy offers many practices to build on each component of early literacy through play. One practice to encourage playful learning focuses on phonological awareness through music.

“During group times or transitions, emphasize rhyming sounds in songs with various movements. A wonderful example is 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' Stand while singing or chanting, and jump into a star formation (or star jump) every time the word 'star,' or a word that rhymes with 'star,' is heard.”

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