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Current Research

Summarize at least four findings or new learning’s from your article.
The article, Literacy, and language: new developments in research, theory, and practice is
insightful in several ways. First, it is astonishing to realize that early childhood teachers were,
from time to time, not allowed to give children print material during instruction. In the article,
Saracho explains that it was presumed that print material only pressured children into reading at
an early age when they were even not ready to learn (Saracho, 2017). The requirement was that
teachers had to wait until children attained the age of six and a half years so that they can
introduce print materials to them. Arnold Gesell came up with theories on the maturationist view
of development (Saracho, 2017). He searched for norms related to the progressive development
of children. In his arguments, Gesell explained that development relies on maturation, and thus
effective teaching should consider the child’s maturity level (Saracho, 2017). According to the
theorist, any education that is introduced prematurely can cause frustration among learners.
Teachers and educators must establish the readiness of a child before introducing any form of
instruction.
Through the article, it is evident that theories on early literacy have been evolving. Studies by
different scholars differ. I have realized that Jean Piaget’s theoretical framework greatly
influenced research on early literacy development. According to the theorist, children’s ability to
construct knowledge is influenced by their experiences and developmental levels. Thus, Jean
suggested that children’s experiences should match their developmental levels. From this, I have
learned that children should not be hurried; their educational experiences should match their
maturity level. The zone of proximal development is a concept that was developed by L.S.

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Vygotsky (Saracho, 2017). It explains the presence of a region outside the achievement abilities
of children, which makes children need assistance. He introduced the concept of scaffolding,
where children are helped to progress forward educationally and achieve higher levels beyond
their abilities.
The theoretical frameworks presented by Piaget and Vygotsky have formed a basis for my
understanding of early literacy development. I have learned that it is essential to cultivate literate
and competent children while they are still young before they can be introduced to formal
instruction. However, it is not developmentally appropriate, hence the reason for parents,
caregivers, and teachers to be careful about how they go about teaching language and literacy. It
is possible to teach language and literacy to young children by applying literacy strategies that
are developmentally appropriate (Saracho, 2017). Teachers need to set-up classroom
environments that are socially and physically effective. They also need to know a child’s
linguistic and cultural knowledge areas.
Lastly, I have learned that children do not develop literacy automatically. On the contrary,
this happens through a process of careful planning and instruction. A teacher plans instruction
after carefully and continuously assessing a child’s acquisition of knowledge and skills. Only
then can a teacher be able to make appropriate decisions on strategies that are appropriate for
individual children. There is no one strategy or teaching approach that is appropriate for all
children (Saracho, 2017). Every child is unique, and as such, teachers must understand their
children and come up with differentiated instructional methods that fit each child.
Describe at least three ways you will apply what you learned to your classroom instruction.

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The article has provided several ideas that will impact my instruction as a teacher. First, I
have learned that there is no one teaching approach that is effective for all children at all times.
Therefore, I carefully determine students’ readiness to learn before establishing instructional
strategies that will be appropriate for each learner. Children are diverse, and they learn best
through diverse ways (Saracho, 2017). Therefore, I will make instructional decisions based on
current research, individual student’s knowledge of reading and writing, appropriate
expectations, as well as the strengths and needs of each learner. As a teacher, I will acknowledge
that good instruction develops on what children already know. I will also recognize that my
students will have had very diverse experiences. Thus, I will put these factors into consideration
when selecting the most appropriate methods to use to deliver instruction.
Secondly, I will conduct ongoing assessments to establish the level of knowledge and
skills among my students. The assessments will provide information that will enable me to plan
effective instruction. Careful assessments will enable me to know my student’s level of literacy
development. They will also provide me with essential insights into the needs, interests, and
strengths of my learners. All this information will be vital when planning instructional programs
as it will enable me to make informed decisions.
The last way through which I will apply the knowledge that I have learned in my
instruction is through careful planning and instruction. As a teacher, I will work towards giving
my students the learning experiences that they will require. I will strive to do this by engaging
them in rich and intellectual conversations, exposing them to books, helping them make
connections between letters and sounds, using wordplays, and drawing experiences. Also, I will
work towards ensuring that learning experiences are not only engaging but also challenging and
achievable at all times. Also, I will ensure that the experiences create interest among students,

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are engaging, and initiate responsiveness. All these activities will require careful planning and
analysis of my students so that I made instruction decisions that will meet their learning needs.

Reflect on at least two concepts from the article that you either agree with and/or disagree
with. Explain why.
One of the concepts that I agree with is that ‘children do not become literate automatically.’
the concept is true as the development of literacy takes time. It is a journey that does not even
begin at Kindergarten. Children begin developing their literacy as early as when they are one
year old when they begin to point at pictures on walls or in books (Saracho, 2017). By two
years, children begin to chant rhymes that they hear from other children. After a child joins a
school, teachers have to engage in careful planning to help develop their literacy. Thus, I agree
with Saracho, that development of literacy takes time, planning, and even concerted efforts
between teachers, parents, and other adults that interact with a child.
I also agree with the author on the use of appropriate teaching practices. The first steps that a
child takes towards learning to read and write are critical to the development of competency in
their later educational stages (Saracho, 2017). Therefore, a teacher must make use of effective
practices that focus on a child’s developmental attributes. Early literacy development is very
important in a child’s education. Thus, a teacher needs to be keen and ensure that they develop
strategies to meet specific learning needs for every learner. There are many factors that
determine whether a child becomes a competent reader. One of these factors is how well a child
learned the connections between letters and sound. This is developed in a child’s early years.

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Thus, the years are critical, and teachers and parents need to help a child form a solid foundation
as they begin to learn to read and write.
Identify at least one question that the article brings to your mind. Explain why this is a question
for you.
How can a teacher develop a comprehensive and consistent program for early literacy
development?
This question comes to mind as I read the article because a teacher is required to choose
instructional strategies that meet the needs of each learner. Thus, a teacher will need
individualized intervention strategies depending on the interest, readiness, and needs of learners.
This can be quite a task for a teacher who has a classroom comprising of twenty students. If each
learner has different needs and readiness levels, then the teacher has to come up with strategies
that help meet all the diverse needs. As a teacher, I know that this can be difficult at times,
especially since each instructional period and activity is timed. Teachers also have curriculums
that they follow and deadlines within which each of them must be covered. That is why I cannot
help but wonder how a teacher can come up with a comprehensive program, with customized
instructional strategies that meet all these needs.

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References

Saracho, O. N. (2017). Literacy and language: new developments in research, theory, and
practice. Research in Young Children’s Literacy and Language Development
Journal, 187:3-4, 299-304, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1282235