Page 45 - Reading Nest - The Supportive Literacy Environment Handbook

Teacher’s role in the reading nest

The physical and mental environments of the reading nest enable children’s literacy and
motivation to read and write to develop naturally, in accordance with their age and in a

playful manner.

The primary designer of that environment is the teacher (or a parent at home), whose task it
is to create a positive atmosphere. A good teacher knows how to develop children and is

aware of various tips of how to raise interest in reading, suggests a range of books and texts
for reading and is able to customise the learning process.

Teacher’s tasks in the reading nest could include:
• design of the mental and physical environment and the whole of the literacy

environment.

• facilitation of children’s initiative, learning motivation and interest in reading and
writing – the teacher should take sincere interest in each child’s opinions, ideas and

development, and accordingly, provide age-appropriate and interesting literacy
experiences.

• pointing out and raising awareness of situations in which literacy is required.

• in daily situations the teacher has to note and employ situations where literacy is
necessary, e.g. when children have questions, search for answers with them in

handbooks, reference books or on the Internet, and gradually guide them to search
for information independently. Similarly, study and enjoy literary texts with children

and encourage them to find texts on their own – first by looking at them, then reading

more and more. When a child makes letter-like scribblings on paper, it is the teacher’s
role to notice, recognise and acknowledge them.

• setting an example in literacy – the teacher should also be a good reader and writer,

they could explore and read with children, take down children’s important ideas and
sentences and then read them back, and encourage the children to read such notes

themselves. As soon as children show interest in writing such ideas themselves, they
should be allowed to do it as best as they can, offering help and advice when required,

yet wholeheartedly supporting emergent literacy (that is at first, by not drawing
attention to potential mistakes at all).