Literacy through Play Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children Regional Conference Coeur dAlene, Idaho October 19, 2013 Notetaking Version

Your Presenter Staci Shaw Other Read to Me Coordinators: Stephanie Bailey-White Erica Compton VISTA: Julie Armstrong

Who we are… The Idaho Commission for Libraries assists libraries to build the capacity to better serve their clientele. Our vision is for all parents and caregivers to nurture their childrens early literacy skills, and for all children to develop as independent readers and become lifelong learners. Libraries.idaho.gov/read-to-me-resources

Agenda Play and Brain Development Functions of Print Play Literacy vs. Play Examples of Play Literacy Activity: Lets Pretend Q and A

Play Board Games Blocks Puppets Dramatic Play Music Sports Outdoor Games

Play and Brain Development Exploratory Play Constructive Play Dramatic Play

Concrete object Abstract idea Marks on the pageMessage

Function vs. Feature of Print Function Reason or purpose of print Feature Letter-sound relationship Structure of grammar Meaning Stephanie orders cake at a restaurant Erica writes KAK

Four Major Functions Environmental Print Occupational Print Informational Print Recreational Print

Literacy Development Through Dramatic Play Allows children to experiment with purposes for literacy that theyve seen at home Allows children to recognize that different tasks require different texts Allows children to produce a wide variety of texts Builds comprehension by allowing children to act out familiar stories/scenarios

Play Literacy is Purposeful Play Area Sink, stove, dishes, table, refrigerator, food, aprons, place settings Play Literacy Area Kitchen: Recipe cards, grocery list, books about food or cookbooks Pizza shop or restaurant: menus, cash register, money, step-by- step instructions for making pizza, books about making pizza or nutrition

Play Literacy is Purposeful Play Area Stethoscope, doctors bag, pill bottles, pretend syringes, blood pressure cuff Play Literacy Area Doctors office: clipboards, check-up checklist, x-rays, prescription pads, baby dolls, bandages, magazines for waiting area, books on bodies Veterinary clinic: exchange stuffed animals for babies, books on pets

PLAY LITERACY How can you support literacy through play in your child care setting?

Play Area Theme Props Environmental print Functions of print Social interaction Books or other resources Storage

Shari Sloane Props Environmental print Functions of print Social interaction Books or other library resources Storage

Restaurant

Madison Public Library (WI) Props Environmental print Functions of print Social interaction Books or other library resources Storage Doctors Office

Props Environmental print Functions of print Social interaction Books or other library resources Storage Play spaces in public areas

com/tag/editable-money-template/ kindergarten-dramatic-play-centers-housekeeping-grocery-store.html Grocery Store

No room, budget, or staff time to create a dramatic play area?

Prop Boxes Theme Props Functions of print Social interaction Books or other resources Storage

Prop Boxes Bins and tubs Trunks and suitcases Shoe boxes or photo boxes Library collections Library staff What are some other ways to store or collect materials?

Resources Literacy-Building Play in Preschool: Lit Kits, Prop Boxes, and Other Easy-to-Make Tools to Boost Emergent Reading and Writing Skills Through Dramatic Play, by V. Susan Bennett-Armistead, Literacy Play: Over 300 Dramatic Play Activities That Teach Pre-Reading Skills, by Sherrie West and Amy Cox, Let's Pretend: 50 Start-to-Finish Preschool Programs for the Busy Librarian That Foster Imagination, by Rebecca C. Bane, 2010.

Activity: Lets Pretend 1)Scan On the Farm chapter 2)See example with the addition of print component 3)Choose a dramatic play theme 4)Add ideas for each of the four functions of print (environmental, informational, occupational, recreational)

Additional Resources Literacy Through Play, by Gretchen Owocki, Scholastic classroom blog: Literacy in Kindergarten Dramatic Play Centers kindergarten-dramatic-play-centers-housekeeping-grocery-store.html kindergarten-dramatic-play-centers-housekeeping-grocery-store.html Kindergarten Nana: Dramatic Play Center Ideas Shari Sloane, Dramatic Play Centers: Education World: The Prop Box--Setting the Stage for Meaningful Play Madison Public Library: Play Literacy

Thank you for joining me today. Please let us know how we can support your efforts to strengthen literacy in your child care setting. Staci Shaw: Stephanie Bailey-White: Erica Compton: Julie Armstrong: Idaho Commission for Libraries 325 W. State St., Boise, or toll free