USING PLAYTIME TO FACILITATE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Bridgette Long Natalie Rapp Southwest Regional KeyNorthwest Regional KeyInfant Toddler Specialist September 22, 2012

GOALS: Identify games and activities that promote language development. Learn how to create art/dramatic play activities that connect to an interactive read- aloud. Identify ways to modify classrooms to promote Literacy development.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU CURRENTLY PROMOTING LITERACY IN YOUR CLASSROOMS?

A FEW WAYS WE CAN INCORPORATE LITERACY Games and activities Art and dramatic play Modifying the classrooms

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES SONGS Color shirt song/Wearing colors song Five little ducks Hokey Pokey

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES Activities: Make a puzzle Sorting blocks Creating play-doh

LETS MAKE PLAY- DOH

NON-TOXIC, NO COOK PLAY DOUGH RECIPE Combine: 2 cups flour 2 cups warm water 1 cup salt 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity) Food coloring may be added for appearance purposes

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES Games I Spy Simon Says Follow the Leader

ART AND DRAMATIC PLAY Art -Extend art experiences from books you are currently reading or that the children love -Use old magazines and newspapers to create art experiences

ART AND DRAMATIC PLAY Dramatic play -Incorporate words into a play kitchen with basic recipes and ingredients -Use recycled boxes and containers with simple words to create a grocery store area

HOW CAN WE EXTEND A BOOK INTO ART AND DRAMATIC PLAY?

ART AND DRAMATIC PLAY Small Group Activity Work together to discuss ways in which you can extend the book your group is given

MODIFYING THE CLASSROOM What does this mean? Utilizing ideas that intentionally incorporate written and verbal language into the classroom in an effort to expose children to literacy * Not just with in a circle or story time

MODIFYING THE CLASSROOM IDEAS Picture/sequence schedule Label classroom items (with pictures) Display artwork and projects with written captions from children Personalize individual spaces with children’s names

TIPS  Ask open ended questions  Avoid baby talk  Use/Add descriptive words  Narrate what you are doing  Speak slowly and clearly  Get at eye level  Expand their language  Don’t just say ‘use your words’

REFLECT AND PLAN Write down a few notes on how you think you can incorporate literacy tools into your classroom in the next… Week Month Year

NOTABLE WEBSITES behavior&development tab, early language and literacy tab eshttp:// es – Carnegie Library - Best Books for Babies – Carnegie Library – recommended books for Infants and Toddlers PBS - Reading is Fundamental

There are many opportunities to bring early literacy skills into early childhood classrooms, we have only touched on a few of them. BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN *Please complete surveys