I have always tried to make reading and language exciting to my own sons and students by describing literacy as “breaking the code.” The reason I describe it that way is to build excitement around the seemingly endless prompts to “say this, say that, repeat after me…”, and to let them understand the vast rewards of literacy.
Driving down the street: “When you break the code, you’ll be able to read every sign on those big billboards.”
In a restaurant: “When you break the code, you’ll be able to read the menu and see all of the things you can order.”
Reading a book: “When you break the code, you’ll be able to come in here and read any one of these books whenever you feel like it.”
On the computer: “When you break the code, you’ll be able to type in the names of your favorite cartoon characters in this window!”
At the grocery store: “When you break the code, you’ll be able to read every flavor of ice cream they have!”
Language Arts in the preschool setting exposes children to many forms of language, guiding them toward understanding that words, sounds, gestures and symbols all have meaning. By “breaking the code” and deciphering those meanings, children gain access to a world of information that allows them to function as a citizen of that world. Through songs in the Music Studio, to Storytime in Coconut Theater, children explore language all day long.
The more exciting aspect of Crème de la Crème is that the children who participate in our rotations are exposed to a variety of vocabularies that reflect varying subject areas, thus, building an even wider repertoire of language skills. For example, in S.T.E.A.M. they listen to language explaining the universe, measurements, mathematics, balance and time. In Art they hear about color, composition, masterpieces and techniques. In Music children are exposed to rhythm, tempo, measures and rhyming. All of these opportunities scaffold their mastery of language so they develop receptive (understanding) and expressive (explaining) language that serve as the foundation for making sense of their environment and contributing to it.
Dr. Masek
VP of Education