This guide will help you answer 3.2 Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
Supporting young children in their early stages of mark making, writing, reading, and being read to is vital for their overall development. As an Early Years Practitioner, you play a critical role in fostering these skills, ensuring that children are encouraged and provided with opportunities to explore and develop their abilities from a very young age.
The Importance of Mark Making
Mark making is an essential precursor to writing. It refers to the various ways children begin to draw and scribble, laying the foundation for more structured writing later.
Providing the Right Environment
Create a stimulating environment that encourages mark making. Have accessible areas with various materials such as:
- Crayons, markers, and pencils
- Paper of different sizes and textures
- Whiteboards and chalkboards
Place these materials in different settings around your nursery—indoors and outdoors—to promote spontaneous and creative use.
Encouraging Exploration
Give children the freedom to explore mark making without specific expectations. This exploration helps them develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Praise their efforts, display their work prominently, and talk to them about their creations to boost their confidence and interest.
Early Writing Development
Once children are comfortable with mark making, you need to support them as they transition into writing.
Developing Motor Skills
Ensure that the children have developed the necessary fine motor skills. Activities such as playing with playdough, threading beads, and using tweezers can strengthen the muscles needed for writing.
Introduce Structured Writing
Gently introduce the concepts of writing, including letter formation and writing their names. Use fun activities like tracing letters in sand or creating letters with playdough. Offer opportunities for children to write during play-based activities, such as making shopping lists in the role-play area.
Fostering a Love for Reading
Reading is a gateway to lifelong learning. Instilling a love for reading in children is one of the most impactful gifts you can give.
Create a Reading-Friendly Environment
Ensure your nursery has a comfortable reading corner with a variety of books. Include:
- Picture books
- Board books
- Storybooks that cater to different interests and cultural backgrounds
Make this space inviting with soft seating, good lighting, and attractive displays.
Reading Aloud
Read to children daily. Use expressive language, varied intonation, and interactive elements to keep them engaged. Encourage children to take part by asking questions about the story and predicting what might happen next.
Supporting Independent Reading
As children become familiar with books and stories, encourage them to engage in independent reading.
Variety and Choice
Offer a wide range of books to cater to different tastes. Allow children to choose the books they want to read. This choice promotes independence and a sense of ownership over their reading journey.
Combine Reading with Other Activities
Integrate reading with other activities to make it more engaging. For example, you could have a ‘story and craft’ session where children create something related to the book they’ve just read.
The Importance of Being Read To
Listening to stories read by adults is crucial for language development. It exposes children to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and ideas.
Routine Reading Sessions
Incorporate regular story times into your daily routine. Use this time to introduce new books and revisit favourites. Creating a sense of routine around story time can make it a highly anticipated part of the day.
Interactive Reading
Read interactively to encourage children’s involvement. Ask open-ended questions, discuss the characters and plot, and relate the story to the children’s own experiences. This interaction helps to develop their comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Practical Tips for Practitioners
Observing Interests
Always observe the children’s interests and incorporate these into your planning. For example, if children show a fascination with dinosaurs, introduce books and mark making activities that feature dinosaurs.
Reflective Practice
Regularly reflect on your practice and observe the children’s responses to different activities. Use this reflection to adapt and improve your approaches to supporting early mark making, writing, reading, and being read to.
Communicate with Parents
Work in partnership with parents to support these skills at home. Share tips and resources with parents to encourage them to read with their children and provide mark making opportunities at home.
Conclusion
Supporting children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading, and being read to requires a nurturing, responsive, and reflective approach. As an Early Years Practitioner, you stand at the forefront of this developmental journey, providing children with a solid foundation for their future learning and growth. Always strive to create a supportive environment, offer varied and engaging resources, and involve children in meaningful, playful learning experiences that spark their curiosity and love for literacy.
