About Early Literature

Children are born to read. The development of literacy has its roots in a child’s earliest language development: the first “call and response” or “conversations” between the child and the adults in his or her life. When an infant smiles and the adult responds with language such as, “Oh, how cute you are!” the child is learning the power of communication. This inherently leads to the development of language and literacy, and ultimately physical and social/emotional development.

The development of oral language is a universal process. Almost all children learn to talk, listen, communicate, and function in their society without any instruction, although all children don’t achieve equal proficiency. However, the research suggests that early exposure to language results in greater proficiency than later exposure. (Shonkoff, J. and Phillips, D., 2000)

Reading is an intellectual and social activity. Readers grow in families and communities that value the written word. Literacy is the product of extensive and systematic interactions with printed words and high expectations for the child’s language development. Becoming a lifelong reader is the result of children living in families and attending programs and schools where they come to believe that reading and writing are as natural and integral to their lives as eating and drinking — and just as enjoyable.