Page 83 - Reading Nest - The Supportive Literacy Environment Handbook

Kindergartens and schools in the Step-by-Step programme practise planning with children,

by which children tell or write what they know of the new topic, what they would like to
know and where the knowledge would come from. Taking notes in the course of study,
writing up observation results and comparison thereof enable the development of a

scientific perception of the world, critical thinking and analytical skills. Sometimes
teachers hold the view that note-taking may be started only when writing skills have been
acquired. It is rather the other way round - taking such notes helps with the acquisition of

literacy and it should already be practised in pre-school.

Information often includes numbers - activity starting times, price tags, house numbers etc.

There are also children who first take an interest in numbers, for instance the need to phone
mother or father may be a motivation to learn numbers.

Information also includes texts with news value, such as messages, invitations etc. Such
texts should appear in abundance at school, kindergarten and home. From the point of view
of literacy development, it should be a priority that children are involved in making adverts,

signs, posters, and so on.
Spelling errors are certainly allowed, such ‘SPRING PART START’. While creating such
texts one can take the opportunity and explain the importance of writing correctly as it

shows respect towards the addressee. This can be done without damage to the child’s
motivation. For instance children could first write up a draft (and learn what drafts are and
what for), then it is checked with the teacher (and perhaps with a dictionary), and then the

correct text is written carefully and neatly in the advertisement.

Even very young children realise that writing is a possibility to contact those people who

cannot be contacted face-to-face. Both information and regulation are linked to
communication as information always has a recipient. A pre-schooler might ‘write’ to mum
or an elf, primary school children might send letters or emails to peers in another school,

create a class blog to keep a father working in Finland or granny living in Spain fully
informed of their activities.

Another important function of writing up information is storing it. Storing information
enables readers to communicate with people from the past or ‘time-travel’. Information
may be stored for personal purposes, such as taking notes, writing a diary or blog. Young

children are also able to understand why a shopping list is needed or important meetings
need noted down, e.g. doctor's appointment, birthday party invitation with the time and
place of the party etc.

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