Play, Learn, & Discover... Together: Literacy Learning... Pre-K Style

Literacy learning in 4K is fun and engaging for the children. The tools of the trade encourage manipulating and exploring letters through play and multi-sensory learning.

The centers in our literacy lab offer children the opportunity to 'pretend play' with the same tools that are modeled by the teacher. Combining wonderful little 4-year-old imaginations, along with gentle guidance from the teacher, the children pretend their way to real, authentic learning and application. Who wouldn't love to pretend to be a teacher?!! That's how I started my career... in my garage, on rainy days, pretending to 'teach' my neighborhood friends:) The imagination is a powerful vehicle for amazing learning to unfold in a natural and healthy way.

Playing at the write n' wipe board allows the children to pretend to plan a morning message just like the teacher does during our morning meeting. It is also a great opportunity for social interaction and practicing two-way conversations with a friend or two.

At the word work table, the children will play and manipulate letters in a variety of ways throughout the year. This will eventually lead to building real words beginning with their name.

They will also play with tools that help us produce letters. Here the children are using a few of the tools from our handwriting program called Handwriting Without Tears.

Mini Slates

Stamp and See Screens

Another tool from our handwriting program are the wood pieces the children are playing with in the picture below. At the beginning, the wood pieces are used to build random things, lines, and shapes, but then the children learn that these wood pieces can build letters and numbers too.

At our writing center, the children are on their way to becoming little authors and illustrators. All efforts are celebrated and shared.

Sometimes the children need a little time away from the hustle and bustle of the busy classroom. Our book nook is the perfect retreat. Many theme-books are on display and other books are available as well. This year I have added an easel for the children to have the opportunity to write while in the book nook too. Eventually the children will be introduced to listening to stories on CD as another choice in this area. Sadly, our CD player is broke, so I am looking for another one. (If you have a small CD player that is not being used, we will put it to good use!)

Puppet play is always fun in prekindergarten! It allows the children to practice speaking and listening skills in a conversational way through a character other than themselves. It also is the beginning of learning how to retell the events of a story.

A favorite spot in our literacy lab is our ever-changing dramatic play center. This is where literacy learning comes alive for the children. This month it is set-up as a pet shop. If you find yourself in need of any pet supplies or have an ailing pet at home, stop by and our little vets and store clerks will take good care of you and your pets. They take phone messages, use their speaking and listening skills as they interact with customers, use little clipboards to record information and check-off important things on their notepads. Don't be fooled, however... lots of math skills are happening in the pet shop as well. The children let money pass hands, swipe credit cards, count out dog treats, puppies, kitties, etc...