Strategy 5: Teach concepts using child's preferred communication method(s)
What to do
- Incorporate concept development into literacy learning activities
- Identify concepts to be targeted in each activity
- Identify the text the child already has to compose connected language/text
- Find the link between the child's current concepts and the new concept(s) to be taught
- Develop and implement literacy materials/activities meaningful to the child within routines where appropriate
Things to consider
- Are you intentionally teaching the concepts listed?
- Are you teaching activities designed to integrate conceptual learning into all aspects of the day?
- Are you presenting materials in a consistent manner each time you give them to the child?
- Are the concepts in the literacy activity known by the child? How do you know?
Important Concepts to Target
How the world works
- Routines
- Cause and effect
- Purpose and use of objects
- Where things come from
- The natural world and its cycles and laws
How the physical environment is arranged and how to navigate it (Orientation and mobility)
- Presence and absence
- Space and distance
- Positional concepts
- Routes and landmarks
- Barriers, danger, safety
How things are sequenced
- Beginning and end
- Order of activities
- Time concepts
Self Concept (the mental perception one has of oneself)
- I exist and have feelings
- I can do things
- I affect people and objects around me
Social Concepts
- Greetings and introductions
- How to play
- Expectations in social situations