Fostering Language and Literacy through Science
Faith Polk, PhD.
October 4, 2014
Stan and Carol Little ECE Conference

• Describe science content and processes for young children
• Review key concepts in language and literacy development
• Demonstrate the ways science is an effective vehicle for language and literacy learning

Almost all young children in almost all environments ‘do science’ most of the time; they experience the world around them and develop theories about how that world works
(Conezio & French, 2003, p. 5).

What is Science For
Young Children?
• Exploring and discovering the everyday world that surrounds them
• Developing enduring mental representations of their experiences
• Using language to translate and share their understandings

Report
And
Reflect
Scientific Reasoning
Ask and
Reflect
Act and
Observe
Plan and
Predict

Report
And
Reflect
Scientific Reasoning
Act and
Observe
Plan and
Predict

• Open the bag on your table
• List what you know about the contents
• Develop questions about the contents
• Prepare to share with the large group

Report
And
Reflect
Scientific Reasoning
Ask and
Reflect
Act and
Observe

• Create a list of what you want to know about the bag’s contents
• Develop a plan for obtaining that information
• Develop a hypothesis or prediction about the bag’s contents

Report
And
Reflect
Scientific Reasoning
Ask and
Reflect
Act and
Observe
Plan and
Predict

Scientific Reasoning
Ask and
Reflect
Act and
Observe
Plan and
Predict

Report
And
Reflect
Scientific Reasoning
Ask and
Reflect
Act and
Observe
Plan and
Predict

Emergent Literacy
• Begins prior to learning to read
• Includes a set of experiences and skills that are developmental precursors
• Develops through interactions involving language and print

Emergent Literacy Skills
• Oral Language
• Phonological Awareness
• Print Knowledge
• Print Motivation

• Sensitivity to and ability to manipulate sounds in words independent of meaning
• Developmental Progression: Word, Syllable,
Onset-Rime, Phoneme
• Related closely to decoding ability

• Letter Names
• Letter Sounds
• Print carries meaning

• Reading is valuable
• Reading is enjoyable
• Reading is purposeful

Literacy

Content areas offer specific ways to investigate the world and communicate their discoveries to others
(California Department of Education, 2000, p. 127).

• Teaching and learning will be most effective if they engage and build on children’s existing understandings
• Key concepts in each domain must be linked with information and skill acquisition
• Metacognitive skill development allows children to solve problems more effectively
(National Research Council, 2001, p. 308)

• Non-fiction books provide a foundation for conversation
• Prior knowledge/experience and new observations and activities support vocabulary growth
• Read-alouds and discussion foster receptive language
• Engaging in scaffolded scientific reasoning builds expressive language
(Conezio & French, 2003, p. 7)

CA Preschool Learning
Foundations Strands
• Scientific Inquiry
– Observation & Investigation
– Documentation & Communication
• Physical Science
– Properties & Characteristics
– Changes
• Life Science
– Properties & Characteristics
– Changes
• Earth Science
– Properties & Characteristics
– Changes