Early Literacy and Language Development: Key Concepts and Examples

What is a consonant digraph?

A consonant digraph is when two or more letters create a new sound, such as /ch/ in 'watch.'

What is a schwa?

A schwa is an unstressed and neutral vowel sound, often represented by an upside-down 'e,' as in the first syllable of 'sofa.'

Why is dramatic play important?

Dramatic play fosters creativity, social skills, and language development by allowing children to role-play and express themselves.

What is environmental print?

Environmental print refers to symbols and logos that children can recognize, such as TikTok, Netflix, and Chick-fil-A, helping them understand that symbols have meanings.

What are the concepts about print?

Concepts about print include reading from left to right, top to bottom, recognizing front and back covers, pages, and page numbers.

What are the five language systems?

The five language systems are Phonology (sounds), Morphology (word structure), Syntax (sentence structure), Semantics (meaning), and Pragmatics (language use in context).

Why is developing children's oral language from birth important?

It lays the foundation for speaking, reading, and writing, and helps build comprehension and connections.

How can teachers and families support oral language development?

They can engage children in conversations, read aloud, and encourage storytelling to enhance oral language skills.

What is phonemic awareness?

Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the smallest unit of sound, known as phonemes.

What is the most complex level of phonemic awareness?

Substitution is the most complex level of phonemic awareness.

What is the difference between phonemic and phonological awareness?

Phonological awareness involves larger units of sound like syllables and phrases, while phonemic awareness focuses on the smallest units of sound (phonemes).

What are phonemes and graphemes?

Phonemes are the smallest units of sound (44 in total), while graphemes are the physical letters or letter combinations that represent those sounds.

What is a consonant blend?

A consonant blend occurs when two or more sounds mesh together while still allowing the individual sounds to be heard, such as /bl/ in 'blend.'

What is an onset?

An onset is the initial consonant sound of a syllable, while a rime is the vowel and any following consonants in that syllable.

What is a rhyme?

A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in the final syllables of words, such as 'cat' and 'hat.'

What is a diphthong?

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable, such as /oi/ in 'boil.'

What is the alphabetic code?

The alphabetic code refers to the relationship between letters and sounds in written language, enabling reading and writing.

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