Language and Literature for the Young Child

This course provides a developmental framework for planning and implementing experiences that support and extend children's abilities to use language as a means of communication, as a medium of creative expression and as a tool in the development of logical thought. It introduces techniques for assessing children's language skills and for developing a program to meet those needs through individual interactions and group activities. The course reviews the current research pertaining to language acquisition and pre-reading skills development within a culturally sensitive framework. Students will review children's literature and obtain practice in story selection, reading and storytelling to young children.