EML1501
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 3 JULY 2025
, Emergent Literacy
Question 1
The Role of the Home Environment in Supporting Emergent Literacy
In the early years of a child’s development, the home plays a vital role in laying the
foundation for emergent literacy. Parents and caregivers are in a unique position to
create learning opportunities that support children's language and literacy development
long before formal schooling begins. One practical way parents can promote emergent
literacy is through reading picture books aloud. By pointing to illustrations, asking
questions, and encouraging children to predict what might happen next, parents foster
comprehension and vocabulary development (Whitehurst & Lonigan, 1998). Another
method is labelling common household items such as “fridge,” “mirror,” and “chair.”
These labels help children associate spoken words with written text, reinforcing word
recognition.
Singing songs and nursery rhymes helps children become aware of phonemic
sounds and rhythms in language, which are crucial for later reading skills (Paul, 2013).
Drawing and scribbling activities also support emergent writing skills by allowing
children to express their ideas through marks and early letter formations. Finally,
parents can encourage literacy by simply talking to their children about daily
routines, using rich and varied vocabulary. For instance, describing the process of
cooking or shopping can expose children to new words and concepts in a meaningful
context (Neuman & Roskos, 2005).
The Interconnection of Speaking, Reading, and Writing in Emergent Literacy
Language is central to the development of literacy. Emergent speaking, reading, and
writing are deeply interconnected. Emergent speaking begins early in life when
children experiment with sounds and begin forming words. It is through these verbal
interactions that children learn sentence structures and expand their vocabulary, which
in turn supports reading and writing (Vygotsky, 1978). Emergent reading involves
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 3 JULY 2025
, Emergent Literacy
Question 1
The Role of the Home Environment in Supporting Emergent Literacy
In the early years of a child’s development, the home plays a vital role in laying the
foundation for emergent literacy. Parents and caregivers are in a unique position to
create learning opportunities that support children's language and literacy development
long before formal schooling begins. One practical way parents can promote emergent
literacy is through reading picture books aloud. By pointing to illustrations, asking
questions, and encouraging children to predict what might happen next, parents foster
comprehension and vocabulary development (Whitehurst & Lonigan, 1998). Another
method is labelling common household items such as “fridge,” “mirror,” and “chair.”
These labels help children associate spoken words with written text, reinforcing word
recognition.
Singing songs and nursery rhymes helps children become aware of phonemic
sounds and rhythms in language, which are crucial for later reading skills (Paul, 2013).
Drawing and scribbling activities also support emergent writing skills by allowing
children to express their ideas through marks and early letter formations. Finally,
parents can encourage literacy by simply talking to their children about daily
routines, using rich and varied vocabulary. For instance, describing the process of
cooking or shopping can expose children to new words and concepts in a meaningful
context (Neuman & Roskos, 2005).
The Interconnection of Speaking, Reading, and Writing in Emergent Literacy
Language is central to the development of literacy. Emergent speaking, reading, and
writing are deeply interconnected. Emergent speaking begins early in life when
children experiment with sounds and begin forming words. It is through these verbal
interactions that children learn sentence structures and expand their vocabulary, which
in turn supports reading and writing (Vygotsky, 1978). Emergent reading involves
