One of the strengths of the SYC is our emphasis on language development. As you enter the school and hear children and teachers engaged in conversation; see bookshelves overflowing with books; notice art work displayed with children's dictation; and observe children working in writing centers you get an immediate sense that language and literacy are highly valued here. Our curriculum reflects the goals of the CT Benchmarks for Children in Preschool Programs.

Literacy is incorporated into all areas of learning. This science center is equipped with literacy materials to help children research things that interest them and gain an understanding that books are a god place to look for information.

When teachers take dictation they show children the connection between speech and print.

Children in a 3-year-old class were shown photos from the newspaper. The teacher asked them to share what they thought was happening in each picture before the caption was read.
Their comments on the upper left photo were: "It's basketball. They're cheering. Someone scored. They're winning. It's the black team and the white team. Some people are laughing. They are saying, "Hurrah, hurray." They are laughing because someone scored. The white team is crying because they didn't score."

In conjunction with a pretend beach day in class, the children generated a list of things they would need at the beach. The teacher wrote down their ideas and the class talked about why they would need these items.

This weather chart in a 4-year-old room adds words to weather pictures. In the upper left corner one of the children has made a chart divided into sections for 4 types of weather.

"When adults thoughtfully plan children's activities to incorporate literacy, reading and writing are meaningful in their everyday lives." (Much More Than ABCs by Judith A. Schickendanz, www.naeyc.org)

One class this year created signs for important classroom rules. This is an opportunity for using print in a meaningful way. The signs say: No running. Please don't forget your manners. No running. No hitting.

Writing is an active process and "this is why young children should always be introduced to writing before (formal instruction in) reading: because at least in the beginning, reading is a painfully passive process." (Taken from comments by early childhood educator Lillian Katz during a conference on developmentally appropriate practice.)

The teacher took dictation from the child about her vehicle and what it was doing.

Activities based on good stories connect literature to other areas of the curriculum.

A job chart in the kindergarten helps with name recognition as well as expanding vocabulary.

Understanding the uses of print is an important part of becoming literate. When a child prints her name she can show ownership.