A series of new reports highlight the importance of children’s motivation and self-confidence when it comes to the development of literacy.
They also point to the need for parents and teachers to create a culture of reading and writing for pleasure.
The reports prepared for the National Council of Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on children’s language and literacy were launched today by the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn TD.
The reports, by a team of thirteen researchers from Ireland and Canada, also point to the importance and potential of new technologies in giving children opportunities to use and produce different kinds of texts from a very young age.
The researchers were asked to examine the evidence from successful approaches to supporting children’s literacy from across the world, and from recent Irish projects in early childhood and primary education.
Based on their reviews, they were asked to suggest how NCCA needs to shape the new integrated language curriculum for primary schools, currently under development and scheduled for completion for infant classes in 2014.
Their findings are also important for work supporting the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.
Key findings include:
* A culture of reading and writing in print and digital formats from a young age is important in developing positive attitudes to literacy;
*Children learn language for pragmatic and practical reasons – to communicate with other children, with adults, and to interact with print and digital texts;
*Teachers and early childhood practitioners need to balance enabling and directing in their work with children;
*Reading comprehension is a technical skill that needs to be explicitly taught and supported by oral language work
Welcoming the reports, Mr Quinn said: "I have identified children’s literacy as a priority area for our education system, and it is important that what we do, and the decisions we make, are based on solid evidence and research. These reports offer us that evidence".
Noting that understanding of literacy had broadened to include digital as well as print media he said: "We need to move beyond the view that technology is the enemy of literacy to recognising the potential of digital texts of all kinds to support literacy. The challenge of developing children’s skills and understanding in interacting with and generating these texts is also new and beginning with our very youngest children in the new integrated language curriculum under development by the NCCA is a good start".
Dr Sarah FitzPatrick of the NCCA said: "Young children are innately curious, imaginative, and generous with their thoughts and questions. They have a lot to say, a lot to find out and a lot to share. They and their teachers need a language curriculum which provides clear roadmaps and destinations for learning; which engages, supports and challenges them to meet high expectations; and which is accessible to their parents and others. The new integrated language curriculum will provide that clarity and support".
The launch was the first public event hosted by former Department of Education secretary general Brigid McManus in her new role as Chairperson of the NCCA.
