Language & Literacy in the Early Years 0-7 / Edition 4

by Marian R Whitehead

Overview

This Fourth Edition of Language and Literacy in the Early Years has been fully revised and updated to reflect current professional interests and the latest developments in the field. The book provides comprehensive coverage of issues in language, literacy and learning, focusing on the age range from birth to eight years. New material covers theory of mind, key persons, and social and emotional dimensions of learning. The author has added material on difficulties with language development; phonics and the new literacies. Key terms, further reading and a revised layout make the book accessible to students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849200080
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/03/2010
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Marian R Whitehead was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Education at Goldsmiths College, University of London, with responsibility for organizing and teaching M.A. degrees in Language and Literature and Early Childhood Education. She has published extensively on literacy, literature and bilingualism and is a co-editor of the journal Early Years. She now combines writing with language and early years consultancy work.

She is the co-editor of Early Years, An International Journal of Research and Development. She is a well known author, and her books include How to Develop Children's Early Literacy, with Makin, L (Paul Chapman Publishing 2003), Developing Language and Literacy with Young Children, Second Edition (Paul Chapman Publishing, 2002) Supporting Language and Literacy in the Early Years (1999) Open University Press.

Table of Contents

List of Figures viii

Foreword xi

Preface to the Fourth Edition xi

Introduction xiv

Acknowledgements xvi

Part I Language and Learning 1

1 Linguistics: The Study of Language 3

Linguistics 4

Grammars 7

Systems and signs 12

Key terms 17

Further reading 17

2 Sociolinguistics: Language and Cultures 19

Language variety 19

Power and influence 26

Language change 31

Multilingualism 36

Key terms 42

Further reading 43

3 Psycholinguistics: Early Language Acquisition 45

Early language acquisition 46

How do we do it? Stages in speech and language development 52

Key terms 61

Further reading 62

4 Psycholinguistics: Language and Thinking 63

Important perspectives 63

Brainy babies 73

Words and concepts 75

Key terms 78

Further reading 78

5 The Early Years Practitioner and Knowledge About Language 81

Theory into practice 81

Language study in early years settings 84

Language in social settings 90

Multilingualism in early years settings 92

Language, thinking and learning 95

Further reading 99

Part II Literacy 101

6 Narrative and Storying 103

Narrative 103

Storying 106

Key terms 116

Further reading 117

7 Books and the World of Literature 119

Early experiences with books 120

Literature and emerging literacy 133

Teaching reading and supporting readers 137

Key terms 149

Further reading 149

8 Early Representation and Emerging Writing 151

Process and product 152

Literacy, culture and schooling 153

Early representation and symobolizing 155

Symbols and the creation of meanings 161

Appropriate practices 172

Key terms 186

Further reading 187

9 The Early Years Practitioner and Literacy 189

Literacy beginnings for babies and toddlers 190

Moving on with literacy 192

Emergent literacy 200

Parents, families, communities and cultures 215

Records and assessment 217

Further reading 223

Language and Education: Some Key Texts 225

Literature Referred to in the Text 227

References 229

DVDs and Useful Websites 239

Index 241

Editorial Reviews

'This book shoudl be read by all those involved in Early Years settings, in order to understand the moral imperative of creating environments which recognise the uniquely individual social and cultural experiences that young children bring to formalised learning. The greatest strength of this text is the ability of the writer to annexe complex research to the compelling need for the practitioner to understand how young children both make meaning and use language to make new meaning as they learn to communicate in a range of modes' -
English 4-11 Magazine 

'This new edition of a highly regarded and very well-presented text on young children's language and literacy development is thoroughly up-to-date and relevant to practitioners working with children from birth to five in the Early Years Foundation Stage and teachers of children in Years 1 and 2. It provides, in an extremely readable and accessible way, the key theories which practitioners need to be familiar with in order to support the language and literacy development of young children in their care...Students will find the connection between theory and practice illuminating and a great help in their studies'
- Early Years Update

'This book is key reading for primary and early years students, early years practitioners classroom assistants and Early Years Foundation Stage teachers' -
Early Years Educator 

Praise for the Third Edition :

'The text relates theory and practice in an easily readable form with particularly helpful sections on key terminology and summaries within each chapter. A most useful, practical text which no early years practitioner should be without' - Jacqueline Barbera, Director of Undergraduate ITT, Liverpool Hope University College

From the Publisher