Language, literacy, and communication

Language, Literacy, and Communication focuses on how children understand language, express themselves, and begin to develop reading and writing skills. It’s about talking, listening, understanding, and building early reading and writing skills.

 

In this area, children are:

  • Building listening and comprehension skills.
  • Using spoken language to share ideas and needs.
  • Expanding their vocabulary.
  • Developing phonological awareness (hearing sounds in words).
  • Learning letters and sounds.
  • Exploring books and print.
  • Beginning to write in different ways (drawing, scribbling, letter-like forms).

 

Name of Activity: Story Time Retell

Originating Idea: The children have been enjoying story time and often talk about their favorite parts of books.

Curriculum Area & KDI:

D. Language, Literacy, and Communication – 21. Comprehension: Children understand language.

Materials:

  • A familiar storybook
  • Story props or puppets (optional)
  • Picture cards of key events from the story

Appropriate Age Group:

Pre-K

Beginning of Activity:

Today, we are going to read a story together. As we read, I want you to listen carefully and think about what is happening in the story.

Middle of Activity (Scaffolding):

Early:
A child has difficulty following the story. I will point to pictures and describe what is happening, asking simple questions like, “What do you see?”

Middle:
A child understands basic events. I will ask, “What happened first?” or “What do you think will happen next?”

Later:
A child understands and explains the story. I will ask deeper questions like, “Why did the character do that?” or “How did the story end?”

End of Activity:

Today we read a story and talked about what happened. You listened and shared your ideas. Turn to a friend and tell them your favorite part of the story.

Follow-Up Ideas (2):

  • Have children act out the story using props or dramatic play.
  • Let children draw their favorite part of the story.

Assessment:

Children were able to demonstrate understanding of the story by answering questions or retelling parts.

Name of Activity:

Mystery Bag Words

Originating Idea:

The children have been curious about new objects in the classroom and often ask, “What is that?” or “What’s it called?”

Curriculum Area & KDI:

D. Language, Literacy, and Communication – 23. Vocabulary: Children understand and use a variety of words.

Materials:

  • A bag or box (mystery bag)
  • Various objects (toy animals, tools, household items, etc.)
  • Picture cards (optional)

Appropriate Age Group:

Pre-K

Beginning of Activity:

Today we are going to play a mystery game. Inside this bag are different objects. I will take one out, and we will talk about what it is and learn new words about it.

Middle of Activity (Scaffolding):

Early:
A child uses a limited vocabulary. I will name the object and describe it: “This is a thermometer. It tells us how hot or cold something is.”

Middle:
A child can name objects. I will ask, “What do we use this for?” or “Can you describe it?”

Later:
A child uses more detailed language. I will encourage expansion by asking, “Can you think of another word for this?” or “Where might we find this?”

End of Activity:

Today, we learned new words by exploring objects from the mystery bag. You used your words to describe and talk about what you saw. Tell a friend one new word you learned.

Follow-Up Ideas (2):

  • Let children bring an item from home to share and describe.
  • Create a word wall with new vocabulary words learned.

Assessment:

Children were able to use or understand new vocabulary words during the activity.

Stories told in pixels

Name of Activity:

My Story Drawing and Writing

Originating Idea:

The children enjoy drawing pictures and often talk about what they have created, showing interest in telling stories.

Curriculum Area & KDI:

D. Language, Literacy, and Communication – 29. Writing: Children write for a variety of purposes.

Materials:

  • Paper
  • Crayons/markers
  • Pencils
  • Clipboards (optional)

Appropriate Age Group:

Pre-K

Beginning of Activity:

Today, you are going to create your own story. You can draw a picture and then try to write about it. Your writing can be letters, scribbles, or words—whatever you can do!

Middle of Activity (Scaffolding):

Early:
A child draws but does not write. I will ask them to tell me about their picture and write their words for them, showing that writing represents their ideas.

Middle:
A child begins to use letters or scribbles. I will encourage them by saying, “Can you try to write the first letter of that word?”

Later:
A child writes recognizable letters or words. I will support them by encouraging more detail: “Can you add more to your story?” or “What happens next?”

End of Activity:

Today, you created your own story using drawings and writing. You shared your ideas in your own way. Tell a friend about your story.

Follow-Up Ideas (2):

  • Create a class book using children’s stories.
  • Set up a writing center with different materials.

Assessment:

Children were able to express ideas through drawing and early writing.