Early literacy skills

To encourage the development of early literacy skills we have placemats that the children use to put their lunch box on at lunch time. Each child personalises their placemat and then their name is written top left with a photo alongside. This is then laminated. When the children get their lunchbox they then identify which is their placemat and sit down. Yesterday, while I was making a placemat with Charlie, Donnagh asked if he could make a new one. He drew a picture then wrote his own name at the top. Donnagh proudly showed me his mahi and identified each letter in his name. Through active exploration Donnagh is developing a concept of letter sound, sense and shape which are pre-requisites for reading and writing.

Rie