Using literacy and numeracy to communicate

Communication is crucial to belonging, being and becoming. From birth children communicate with others, they are social beings and are motivated to exchange ideas and thoughts through interactions of both verbal and non-verbal language. Literacy and numeracy capabilities are important aspects of communication and are vital for successful learning across the curriculum, children build an understanding of how symbols and patterns work as they make meaning using a range of media. Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking.

News time is very exciting for the children! It is a great opportunity to build on the child’s language and confidence skills. Each child is allocated a day for news time, this allows them time to prepare. Children do not have to bring a toy; they can bring in pictures or simply have talking news about anything they like!

• Language skills and vocabulary
• Public speaking skills
• Opportunity to ask inquiry based questions
• Skills to ask and answer questions
• Use descriptive language
• Practice critical reasoning skills
• Confidence and self-esteem in a group setting
• Practice storytelling

The reading corner is a place where children can enjoy a quiet retreat area as they learn to enjoy and appreciate books and reading. The children have an opportunity to increase vocabulary by hearing new words. Through books children are able to visualise the story as they can see the pictures. Story telling abilities are developed as children gain confidence as they look through a book and predict the story being told.

• Listening skills are developed
• Storytelling abilities
• Increase vocabulary
• Understanding of text such as letters and symbols
• Enjoyment and love of books
• Self-esteem and confidence
• A special time children can spend with friends or time alone
• Imagination as children visualise the things they are listening too.
• Sharing of stories and experiences
• An understanding and a time to learn about other people and places in our world

Group time is a shared group experience used to develop a child’s language, literacy and music skills. This is an enjoyable time as children can share feelings and ideas in an environment designed to stimulate the imagination. Group time gives children the opportunity to interact and discuss own experiences with peers as social skills are developed.

• Language and speech
• Understanding numeracy through discussions and experiments
• Social development
• Story telling
• Development of pre reading
• Time to share feelings and ideas
• Enjoyment and fun
• Shared experiences with peers
• Confidence
• Creative imagination
• Listening skills
• Ability to stay focused