Author(s): Elizabeth Lilly; Connie R. Green

Language and Literacy

This book blends information on contemporary families, research on early literacy, and practical strategies for sharing children's literature in classrooms, homes, and pre-school settings. Content is based on the belief that adult-child interactions around story-reading play a significant role in fostering and developing children's language and literacy skills. This role manifests itself differently according to the social, cultural, and linguistic environment of a child's home. The authors present a selection of children's books from all genres and an array of field-tested ideas for developing early literacy. Authentic voices of teachers, children, and family members illustrate vivid descriptions of successful teacher-family partnerships and literacy strategies that work.

FEATURES:

• Extensive lists of children's books--Coded by age range for easy selection, culturally-diverse titles are incorporated that sensitively portray children with exceptionalities.

  • Supplies readers with a wealth of choices in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, and picture books--provides a starting point for building a personal library to share with their children and families.

• Significant coverage of family life, including respectful, positive treatment of diversity in traditions, style, and structure--embedded in discussions in every chapter.

  • Gives readers practical suggestions for promoting reading in daily families. Includes daily routines (bedtime, playtime, preparing meals), as well as transitions such the birth of a new child or a death in the family.

• A Literacy Partnership Cycle --Highlighted by numerous literacy strategies that promote family involvement.

  • Gives readers a simple framework for engaging families in their children's early literacy development--describes effective literacy practices for collaborating with families at home and at childcare centers and preschools.

• Teacher to Teacher and Family to Family features--Throughout the book.

  • Illuminates text content through the unique experiences of preschool teachers, kindergarten teachers, and other childcare specialists--address common concerns and challenges, and offer practical suggestions shown to be effective in translating theory into practice.

• Internet Resources sections--Highlighted within chapters wherever appropriate.

  • Refer students to Web sites relevant to early literacy, family involvement, children's literature, and advocacy--are ideal for in-class discussions, assignments, or self-study.

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