CHL2601
ASSESSMENT 6
This assessment measures achievement of the outcomes of learning units 3 and 4.
Question 1
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:
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.
According to the study guide, providing a literacy-rich environment at home is
essential for your child's development in reading and writing:
Language Development
When you talk to your child beyond basic commands like "Go clean your room" or "Please
feed the dog," you help them develop their language skills. Engaging in rich discussions,
asking questions, and playing with language (like rhyming games) makes them more
comfortable and proficient in using language.
Everyday Reading and Writing
Incorporating reading and writing into daily activities helps children see their practical
value. When you make shopping lists, fill in forms, write emails or text messages, read
labels and instructions, or pay bills, you're showing your child how reading and writing are
useful in everyday life.
Communication Skills
Encouraging reading and writing through emails, text messages, sending cards, and
letters, or even visiting social media sites, helps children learn how to communicate
effectively in different formats.
Reading for Pleasure
Providing books, magazines, newspapers, and access to the internet for enjoyable reading
helps foster a love for reading. This not only improves their literacy skills but also broadens
their knowledge and imagination.
Creating a literacy-rich environment
,At home doesn't require special materials or a lot of time. It’s about integrating reading and
writing into your daily routines and making it a fun and engaging part of your child’s life.
This foundation at home sets them up for success in school and beyond.
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.
Parents Reading Books or Newspapers
Children often see their parents or other adults in the household reading books,
newspapers, or magazines. This exposure demonstrates the importance and everyday
use of reading.
Writing Grocery Lists
When parents write grocery lists or to-do lists, children observe the practical application
of writing for organization and planning.
Sending and Receiving Mail
The process of sending letters or packages and receiving mail provides a real-life
example of writing's role in communication.
Using Digital Devices
Observing adults typing emails, sending text messages, or posting on social media
platforms shows children how writing is integrated into modern communication.
Reading Signs and Labels
When children go out with their parents, they see adults reading road signs, product
labels in stores, or menus in restaurants, illustrating the practical use of reading in
navigating and making decisions in daily life.
1.3 Based on your answer to question 1.2, explain what literacy skills children learn
through these observations.
1. Parents Reading Books or Newspapers:
, Children become aware of the existence of printed materials and understand that text
conveys meaning.
Exposure to new words and phrases enhances their vocabulary.
By listening to stories or discussing news articles, children learn about narrative
structures, sequencing, and comprehension.
2. Writing Grocery Lists:
Children understand that writing serves practical purposes, such as organizing and
planning.
They see the formation of letters and the spelling of words, which helps in learning the
alphabet and basic spelling.
3. Sending and Receiving Mail:
Observing this process helps children understand that writing is a means of
communication.
They learn about different formats of writing, such as letters and cards.
This helps in recognizing and understanding written addresses and names.
4. Using Digital Devices:
Children gain familiarity with typing and using keyboards or touchscreens.
They learn about digital communication methods and the etiquette associated with
them.
They observe the process of composing and sending messages, reinforcing reading
and writing abilities.
5. Reading Signs and Labels:
Children learn to recognize and read everyday text in their environment, such as road
signs, labels, and menus.
They understand that reading can help in making decisions and navigating the world.
They become familiar with common symbols, letters, and numbers used in public
signage and labels.
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.
1. Socioeconomic Status:
Children from low-income families often have limited access to books, educational
materials, and digital resources, which hinders their literacy development.
A lack of a literacy-rich environment at home, such as fewer books and less parental
involvement in reading, impacts children’s exposure to and practice of literacy skills.
ASSESSMENT 6
This assessment measures achievement of the outcomes of learning units 3 and 4.
Question 1
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:
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.
According to the study guide, providing a literacy-rich environment at home is
essential for your child's development in reading and writing:
Language Development
When you talk to your child beyond basic commands like "Go clean your room" or "Please
feed the dog," you help them develop their language skills. Engaging in rich discussions,
asking questions, and playing with language (like rhyming games) makes them more
comfortable and proficient in using language.
Everyday Reading and Writing
Incorporating reading and writing into daily activities helps children see their practical
value. When you make shopping lists, fill in forms, write emails or text messages, read
labels and instructions, or pay bills, you're showing your child how reading and writing are
useful in everyday life.
Communication Skills
Encouraging reading and writing through emails, text messages, sending cards, and
letters, or even visiting social media sites, helps children learn how to communicate
effectively in different formats.
Reading for Pleasure
Providing books, magazines, newspapers, and access to the internet for enjoyable reading
helps foster a love for reading. This not only improves their literacy skills but also broadens
their knowledge and imagination.
Creating a literacy-rich environment
,At home doesn't require special materials or a lot of time. It’s about integrating reading and
writing into your daily routines and making it a fun and engaging part of your child’s life.
This foundation at home sets them up for success in school and beyond.
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.
Parents Reading Books or Newspapers
Children often see their parents or other adults in the household reading books,
newspapers, or magazines. This exposure demonstrates the importance and everyday
use of reading.
Writing Grocery Lists
When parents write grocery lists or to-do lists, children observe the practical application
of writing for organization and planning.
Sending and Receiving Mail
The process of sending letters or packages and receiving mail provides a real-life
example of writing's role in communication.
Using Digital Devices
Observing adults typing emails, sending text messages, or posting on social media
platforms shows children how writing is integrated into modern communication.
Reading Signs and Labels
When children go out with their parents, they see adults reading road signs, product
labels in stores, or menus in restaurants, illustrating the practical use of reading in
navigating and making decisions in daily life.
1.3 Based on your answer to question 1.2, explain what literacy skills children learn
through these observations.
1. Parents Reading Books or Newspapers:
, Children become aware of the existence of printed materials and understand that text
conveys meaning.
Exposure to new words and phrases enhances their vocabulary.
By listening to stories or discussing news articles, children learn about narrative
structures, sequencing, and comprehension.
2. Writing Grocery Lists:
Children understand that writing serves practical purposes, such as organizing and
planning.
They see the formation of letters and the spelling of words, which helps in learning the
alphabet and basic spelling.
3. Sending and Receiving Mail:
Observing this process helps children understand that writing is a means of
communication.
They learn about different formats of writing, such as letters and cards.
This helps in recognizing and understanding written addresses and names.
4. Using Digital Devices:
Children gain familiarity with typing and using keyboards or touchscreens.
They learn about digital communication methods and the etiquette associated with
them.
They observe the process of composing and sending messages, reinforcing reading
and writing abilities.
5. Reading Signs and Labels:
Children learn to recognize and read everyday text in their environment, such as road
signs, labels, and menus.
They understand that reading can help in making decisions and navigating the world.
They become familiar with common symbols, letters, and numbers used in public
signage and labels.
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.
1. Socioeconomic Status:
Children from low-income families often have limited access to books, educational
materials, and digital resources, which hinders their literacy development.
A lack of a literacy-rich environment at home, such as fewer books and less parental
involvement in reading, impacts children’s exposure to and practice of literacy skills.
