CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
CHL2601
ASSESSMENT 6 2024
• 1.1 According to Piaget, cognitive development is a progressive reorganisation of
mental processes resulting from biological maturation and environmental experience.
This view sparked the nature versus nurture debate about the development of cognition.
When I prompted ChatGPT about these two conflicting views on the literacy
development of young children, it generated the following response:
•
Question 1 [40]
The nature vs. nurture debate in the context of literacy development in young children is
a longstanding and complex topic in developmental psychology and education. It centres
around the question of whether children’s reading and writing abilities are primarily
influenced by their innate biological factors (nature) or shaped by their environment,
experiences, and social interactions (nurture). In reality, literacy development is a result
of the interplay between both nature and nurture. Let’s explore both:
1. Nature (Innate factors):
• Genetic predispositions: Some children may have a genetic predisposition that makes
them more receptive to learning language and literacy skills. For instance, certain
genetic traits might affect their ability to process phonetic information or grasp grammar
rules more easily.
• Neurological factors: Brain development plays a crucial role in literacy acquisition.
Some children might have neurological differences that affect their language processing
and reading skills. For example, difficulties in phonological awareness, which is the
ability to identify and manipulate sounds in spoken language, can impact reading
readiness.
• Biological maturation: As children grow, their brains undergo biological changes that
support various aspects of literacy, such as memory, attention, and information
processing. These changes can influence how well and how quickly they acquire
reading and writing skills.
2. Nurture (Environmental factors):
• Home environment: A rich and stimulating home environment, including exposure to
books, reading aloud, and engaging in literacy-related activities, can foster early
CHL2601/ASSESSMENT 6/2024
7
, • literacy skills. Children who grow up in homes where reading is valued are more
likely to develop an interest in reading themselves.
• • Parental involvement: Parents and caregivers who actively engage with children
in language-based activities, storytelling, and discussions enhance their language skills
and literacy development. Regular interactions with adults who read to them and
encourage their reading efforts can significantly impact children’s progress.
• • Quality of early education: The quality of early education and preschool
experiences can have a substantial effect on literacy development. High-quality
programmes that focus on language and literacy skills provide a supportive foundation
for children’s reading and writing abilities.
• • Socio-economic status (SES): Research suggests that children from higher SES
backgrounds tend to have better literacy outcomes. This could be due to access to more
resources, including books, educational material, and opportunities for enriching
experiences.
• • Interaction and interdependence: It is essential to recognise that nature and
nurture are not mutually exclusive; rather, they interact and influence each other in a
child’s literacy development. For example, a child’s genetic makeup might affect their
language processing abilities, but their exposure to a language-rich environment can
further support and refine those abilities.
In conclusion, the nature vs. nurture debate regarding literacy development in young
children cannot be easily distilled into a simple either/or scenario. Both nature and
nurture play integral roles in shaping a child’s reading and writing skills. Understanding
this interaction can help educators, parents and caregivers provide more effective and
targeted support for children’s literacy growth.
Based on this response, develop an argument to explain to parents why it is so
important to provide a literacy-rich environment at home. Your argument must be plain
enough for parents, caregivers and grannies to understand. (5)
1.2 Across cultures, children learn through imitation. List five events that young children
actively observe that give them opportunities to notice how reading and writing are used
in real life. (5)
1.3 Based on your answer to question 1.2, explain what literacy skills children learn
through these observations. (5)
1.4 Linguistic, cultural, academic and cognitive diversity is a reality of the South African
classroom. It cannot be assumed that all children have similar reading experiences or
exposure to books. Examine and discuss five realities that contribute to inequality in the
literacy experiences of young children. (10) 8
### Question 1 [40]
#### 1.1 Argument for a Literacy-Rich Environment
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Creating a literacy-rich environment at home is incredibly important for
your child's development. Here are a few key reasons why:
CHL2601
ASSESSMENT 6 2024
• 1.1 According to Piaget, cognitive development is a progressive reorganisation of
mental processes resulting from biological maturation and environmental experience.
This view sparked the nature versus nurture debate about the development of cognition.
When I prompted ChatGPT about these two conflicting views on the literacy
development of young children, it generated the following response:
•
Question 1 [40]
The nature vs. nurture debate in the context of literacy development in young children is
a longstanding and complex topic in developmental psychology and education. It centres
around the question of whether children’s reading and writing abilities are primarily
influenced by their innate biological factors (nature) or shaped by their environment,
experiences, and social interactions (nurture). In reality, literacy development is a result
of the interplay between both nature and nurture. Let’s explore both:
1. Nature (Innate factors):
• Genetic predispositions: Some children may have a genetic predisposition that makes
them more receptive to learning language and literacy skills. For instance, certain
genetic traits might affect their ability to process phonetic information or grasp grammar
rules more easily.
• Neurological factors: Brain development plays a crucial role in literacy acquisition.
Some children might have neurological differences that affect their language processing
and reading skills. For example, difficulties in phonological awareness, which is the
ability to identify and manipulate sounds in spoken language, can impact reading
readiness.
• Biological maturation: As children grow, their brains undergo biological changes that
support various aspects of literacy, such as memory, attention, and information
processing. These changes can influence how well and how quickly they acquire
reading and writing skills.
2. Nurture (Environmental factors):
• Home environment: A rich and stimulating home environment, including exposure to
books, reading aloud, and engaging in literacy-related activities, can foster early
CHL2601/ASSESSMENT 6/2024
7
, • literacy skills. Children who grow up in homes where reading is valued are more
likely to develop an interest in reading themselves.
• • Parental involvement: Parents and caregivers who actively engage with children
in language-based activities, storytelling, and discussions enhance their language skills
and literacy development. Regular interactions with adults who read to them and
encourage their reading efforts can significantly impact children’s progress.
• • Quality of early education: The quality of early education and preschool
experiences can have a substantial effect on literacy development. High-quality
programmes that focus on language and literacy skills provide a supportive foundation
for children’s reading and writing abilities.
• • Socio-economic status (SES): Research suggests that children from higher SES
backgrounds tend to have better literacy outcomes. This could be due to access to more
resources, including books, educational material, and opportunities for enriching
experiences.
• • Interaction and interdependence: It is essential to recognise that nature and
nurture are not mutually exclusive; rather, they interact and influence each other in a
child’s literacy development. For example, a child’s genetic makeup might affect their
language processing abilities, but their exposure to a language-rich environment can
further support and refine those abilities.
In conclusion, the nature vs. nurture debate regarding literacy development in young
children cannot be easily distilled into a simple either/or scenario. Both nature and
nurture play integral roles in shaping a child’s reading and writing skills. Understanding
this interaction can help educators, parents and caregivers provide more effective and
targeted support for children’s literacy growth.
Based on this response, develop an argument to explain to parents why it is so
important to provide a literacy-rich environment at home. Your argument must be plain
enough for parents, caregivers and grannies to understand. (5)
1.2 Across cultures, children learn through imitation. List five events that young children
actively observe that give them opportunities to notice how reading and writing are used
in real life. (5)
1.3 Based on your answer to question 1.2, explain what literacy skills children learn
through these observations. (5)
1.4 Linguistic, cultural, academic and cognitive diversity is a reality of the South African
classroom. It cannot be assumed that all children have similar reading experiences or
exposure to books. Examine and discuss five realities that contribute to inequality in the
literacy experiences of young children. (10) 8
### Question 1 [40]
#### 1.1 Argument for a Literacy-Rich Environment
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Creating a literacy-rich environment at home is incredibly important for
your child's development. Here are a few key reasons why:
