The Interplay between Literacy and Relationships in Early Childhood Settings

ABSTRACT

A key to supporting a child's emerging literacy is building relationships with adults and peers through interactions around literacy activities. The development of sustained relationships with adults who engage a child in authentic conversations increases the opportunities for the child to build literacy connections. Robust relationships with caring adults are especially important in meeting the social and emotional needs of children who may be unable to benefit from traditional, curriculum-driven, academic instruction. This article focuses on strategies that support social relationships around literacy learning in malleable environments that mold to the continually developing child, especially young children who struggle to learn the skills needed to read and write.

The development of this article was supported in part by a grant to the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Cooperative Agreement N. PHS 90YD0119). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.