The Importance of Utilizing Play to Promote Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Environment

Terisa Scrabeck, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow

Abstract

There is no question that play is important in the lives of children at home and at school. Unfortunately, the amount of play in early childhood classrooms continues to diminish. Teachers are under pressure to meet high academic expectations so they are spending more time on instruction and testing instead of play. Children enjoy play and it improves many different skills, like literacy. Children develop knowledge of literacy as they engage with print. Therefore, literacy can be developed through different types of play, including well-defined enriched literacy play settings and adult role models. The importance of utilizing play to promote emergent literacy is described. Techniques and that can promote early literacy in early childhood classroom are provided.

College

Education

Department

Elementary and Literacy Education Department

Recommended Citation

Scrabeck, T. (2020). The importance of utilizing play to promote emergent literacy in early childhood environments. Innovations and Critical Issues in Teaching and Learning 1(1), 55-73. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/icitl/vol1/iss1/3

Biography

Terisa Scrabeck received her Elementary Education Master of Science degree in the Spring of 2020 from Mankato State University. Terisa has 14 years of experience working in the educational field. She worked as a Kindergarten Title I Paraprofessional for 7 years at Fillmore Central Elementary School where she decided to pursue her teaching degree in Elementary Education. Once she received her teaching degree, she taught 2 years in Title I and has taught the remaining 5 years in Kindergarten at Fillmore Central Elementary School. Terisa loves working in the education field and working with students at the lower grade levels.