In this unit students will learn about children's conversational styles, stages of communication and language development and how to support young children's emergent literacy skills. Students will learn and practice storytelling and using nursery rhymes, finger play songs and transition songs to promote early language skills in addition to planning learning experiences that develop children's vocabulary, phonological and phonemic awareness and writing skills.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the difference between language and literacy and their relationship;
2. Describe the six stages of language development;
3. Interpret how phonology, syntax, semantics and vocabulary are linked to early reading and writing;
4. Create a collection of resources to help develop children's oral language skills; and
5. Plan learning experiences for young children that support their language and literary skills, including those with English as an additional language or dialect and those with language delays.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware

Prerequisites

Students must have passed 24 credit points and be enrolled in an early childhood education undergraduate course.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.