Theories of Learning

Theories of
Learning and Early

Development
MIND SET
◂ Define emergent literacy

◂ Explain the importance of home literacy
to early literacy
◂ Explain the theories of early literacy
◂ Identify the theories of early literacy
2
OVERVIEW
This lesson accounts for the theories of child

development which serves as constructs of early
literacy and as framework of reading and writing
developments among children. Home literacy is given
emphasis with respect to emergent literacy.
3
Definition of Emergent Literacy
Marie Clay (1966) – was the first one who

used the term emergent literacy.
◂ Emergent literacy is based on an
assumption that a child acquires
some knowledge about language,
reading and writing even before
attending formal education.
◂ Asserted that literacy development
begins early in life and is ongoing.
William Teale (1987) – described emergent literacy as the
early signs of reading and writing demonstrated by young
children even before they begin to take formal instruction to
reading and writing, and such early signs and ways are
recognized by most adults.
◂ Viewed literacy as the result of children’s involvement in
reading activities facilitated by literate adults (Teale, 1982).
◂ The concept of emergent literacy suggests that all
children who come to school already have certain
experiences and interests in learning (Teale, 1987). Thus,
emergent literacy refers to competencies and literacy
skills in early childhood.
5
Teale and Sulzby pointed out the preference
of the term emergent literacy over traditional
readiness. Emergent or emerging means that
children are always in the process of
becoming literate, probably since they are a
few months old (Teale, 1987).
Elizabeth Sulzby (1991) – defines literacy as the

reading and writing behaviors of young
children that precede and develop into
conventional literacy.
Let’s Do This!
Emergent
Literacy
Child
Literacy
Knowledge
Environment
7
Transitions on the Perspectives of Emergent Literacy
Basic Literacy
Basic literacy which

emphasizes the reading and
writing of young learners to
construct meaning for
themselves.
8
Socio-cultural Literacy
Socio-cultural literacy which

emphasizes the importance
of social interaction of
children to construct cultural
– specific meanings and to
demonstrate literacy
practices as social events
and cultural phenomena.
9
Functional Literacy
Functional literacy which

emphasizes the use of
technology for instruction
and literacy, and the young
learners’ use of technology
to produce meaning.
10
Concepts of Emergent Literacy
BEFORE
◂ Early literacy was somewhat ◂ Preschoolers were not perceived as

neglected readers and writers
◂ Little attention given to a child’s ◂ Waiting for a child’s natural

literacy development before maturation to unfold.
formal schooling ◂ Preparation for literacy was
through the acquisition of a set of
◂ Assumed that the beginning of
prescribed hierarchy of skills
literacy was in Grade 1
◂ Progression from part to whole, a
◂ Speaking and listening were set of skills as prerequisite to
learned in early childhood while reading
reading and writing were
learned in school age
◂ Drills for contrived skills
◂ Reading instructions was

◂ Writing had been certainly missing
writing develops after reading
ignored in preschool education
◂ No advocacy for formal reading
instructions in early childhood
11
Concepts of Emergent Literacy
NOW
◂ A great deal of attention to
literacy development in early ◂ Children are active constructors
childhood of their own learning
◂ Acquisition of information ◂ Natural emergent literacy from
about literacy begins at birth birth through kindergarten to
and continues at the course of Grade 1
early childhood. ◂ Continuous building of
◂ Development of literacy in knowledge on oral language,
child’s earliest years reading and writing
◂ Simultaneous development of ◂ Children learn from meaningful
language related abilities. and functional situations
◂ Emphasis on oral language ◂ Children are interested to
development and preparation attempt early to communicate
for reading in writing reading and writing
are cultivated concurrently
◂ Capitalize on cihlds existing
knowledge, information about
literacy and reading and writing
experiences 12
Learning Theories Supporting Early
Literacy Development
A number of learning and child development
theories support emergent literacy and likewise, early
literacy instruction. These theories have assumed a
central place in early literacy research and have reflected
the variety of perspectives evident.
The main goal of theory in early literacy instruction
and research is description, that is, to present the central
premise of a theory, to characterize the nature of early
literacy which constitutes the young learners’ literacy at
any point of development, and to explain how and why
emergent literacy takes place.
13
Jean - Jacques Rousseau (1962)
EMPHASIS STRATEGIES
Child’s learning unfolds Strategies meshed with
naturally; Learning the child’s readiness to
through curiosity learn; little adult
intervention
ACTIVITIES SKILLS
Allowing children to Natural development of
grow and learn with skills, individual ways of
freedom to themselves learning, curiosity
14
Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori (1965)
EMPHASIS STRATEGIES
Children need orderly, Specific concepts
early systematic training meeting specific
mastering one skill after objectives; Learning
another; auto-education materials are self
correcting; learning
during sensitive period;
designing activities and
experiences for learning
ACTIVITIES SKILLS
Allowing children to use Specific concepts, self
manipulative toys; correction, independent
working with carefully learning mastery of one
designed and specific skill after another
materials for specific
skills; work instead of
play; activities for skill
mastery
15
John Dewey (1996)
EMPHASIS STRATEGIES
Early childhood learning Allowing time for play
is child-centered; is built and learning; providing
around the interest of a relaxed atmosphere;
the child; child learns informal activities for
best through play learning
because of social
interaction
ACTIVITIES SKILLS
Manipulative toys, arts, Social skills, physical and
music, story reading, emotional development,
free and outdoor play, informal reading and
snack, rest, circle time, writing
informal reading and
writing
16
Thank you for Listening!
"Educating the mind without educating

the heart is no education at all”
- Aristotle

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Theories of

Learning and Early

◂ Define emergent literacy

This lesson accounts for the theories of child

Marie Clay (1966) – was the first one who

Elizabeth Sulzby (1991) – defines literacy as the

Basic literacy which

Socio-cultural literacy which

Functional literacy which

◂ Early literacy was somewhat ◂ Preschoolers were not perceived as

◂ Little attention given to a child’s ◂ Waiting for a child’s natural

◂ Reading instructions was

"Educating the mind without educating

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