This course enhances students’ knowledge and understanding on emergent literacy as a term that is used to explain a child's knowledge of reading and writing skills before they learn how to read and write words. It signals a belief that, in literate society, young children—even one- and two-year-olds—are in the process of becoming literate. The basic components of emergent literacy include: (b) print motivation; (b) vocabulary; (c) print awareness; (d) narrative skills; (e) letter knowledge; and (f) phonological awareness.
Moreover, signing (using Makaton) in the early years will be given emphasis also in this course. Signing or sign languages give children of all ages the opportunity to have a voice and to communicate their needs and interests with others
This course introduces the concepts of new literacies in the 21st century as an evolving social phenomena
and shared cultural practices across learning areas. The 21st century literacies shall include (a)
globalization and multicultural literacy, (b) social literacy, (c) media literacy, (d) financial literacy, (e) cyber
literacy/digital literacy, (f) eco-literacy and (g) arts and creativity literacy.
Field based-interdisciplinary explorations and other teaching strategies shall be used in this course.