Literate Play Environment?

Question

Can anyone explain what a literate play environment is? It was explained in my tutorial, and i get the basics of it but I don't fully understand it!

Answer 1

An environment that incoporates the literacy components.  Let me give you an example of what you could do in a preschool classroom.

There should be an alphabet and number display somewhere in the room.  The best place for this in near the fine motor/writing center.

Children's names should be used for labeling...names on cubbies etc.

There should be a calendar area with printed words... etc...that is usually in all classroom...now for the centers

Dramatic play- add as many writing/literacy components as possible... if you are doing grocery store be sure to have a "list" and pencil available, a cash register, grocery ads, open/closed sign, a theme related book (at every center), maybe a calculator, grocery bags with names of stores, or even lunch bags with markers to make their own logos.  When you are in that area ask open-ended questions.

Block area:  a book about construction/block building or theme related; pictures that relate to the theme, paper/pencil for them to draw their creations; have words on your labels for where the blocks go; have the children help you make a simple chart by tracing 3 different size blocks and writing the corresponding word next to them.

Science Area: Science books, recording sheets, writing utenisils, pictures of real life situations

Art Area- shelf labeled with picture and words, color words posted, instruction charts of how to use the materials using pictures, words, and numbers.

Games/Manipulatives: literacy/numeracy game, shelves labeled with pictures and words.  Theme related book.

Fine motor/Writing: flip charts, alpha charts, sensory alpha cards etc.  This center usually incorporates it naturally as does the library. Pictures with people/children writing.  A theme related book.

Reading Center/Library:  books on tape, pictures of people reading various types of things, instruction charts using pictures and words (for example of how to use the cassette player).

Hope this helps.