Emergent literacies

Emergent literacy is 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. Through the support of parents, caregivers, and educators, a child can successfully progress from emergent to conventional reading.

The basic components of emergent literacy include:

  • Print motivation: Being interested in and enjoying books.
  • Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.
  • Print awareness: Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how to follow words on a page.
  • Narrative skills: Being able to describe things and events and to tell stories.
  • Letter knowledge: Understanding letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds, and recognizing letters everywhere.
  • Phonological awareness: Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.

Emergent literacy is of critical importance in early education in light of research showing that children learn skills that prepare them to read years before they start school.

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