Page 69 - Reading Nest - The Supportive Literacy Environment Handbook

Acknowledgement and recognition of success

An essential part of the mental environment of the nest is recognition of the little (even tiny)
achievements of every child.

At home, kindergarten or school, the nest’s role is to acknowledge and recognise the child’s
emergent literacy. How to do it, how to recognise and map emergent literacy, is further discussed
in the chapter on the teacher’s role.

Kujunev kirjaoskus ja laste loodud tekstide väärtustamine. Põltsamaa Mari lasteaia koolieelikute rühma poisid Ranno,
Siim ja Sander on joonistanud liikluslinnaku ning sinna juurde ka ise kirjutanud. Foto: õpetaja Kairit Kärt.

Both parents and teachers should be aware that the nest’s role is to enable development of literacy
in a positive atmosphere, according to age and interests. If a child picks a book which is too
complex or too simple for them, the teacher or parent should not immediately criticise the child.

Even very young children can surprise us, e.g. study an encyclopaedia, point at illustrations and
tell exactly what the animals or machines in the picture are. Or have their own interpretation of
pictures, e.g a pirate dancing at the chest full of gold may be seen as a farmer pleased about a

good crop of potatoes. The adult’s task is not “correcting” the mistake but explore and be surprised
with the child.