Desirable Literacies: Approaches to Language and Literacy in the Early Years (Paperback)

`The book demonstrates the importance of providing meaningful, purposeful opportunities for children to develop, explore and enjoy the full range of literacy experiences and offers plenty of practical ideas for how this can be achieved... offers a very stimulating and even inspiring read to anyone involved in early years education' - Literacy and Language

`The range of topics and authors is both extensive and impressive; the book includes chapters on oral language development, early reading, early writing, the involvement of parents and developing literacy with bilingual children. The importance of non-verbal language, so often by-passed in books of this kind, is emphasized in a number of chapters, which focus on a broader interpretation of literacy. These include the use of drama, puppets, costuming and even "hot-seating". Several of the chapters extend these ideas for language and literacy development beyond the confines of the classroom or even the school, adding a cautionary note that too often previously competent young language users become responders rather than initiators the minute they walk through the door of the classroom' - Child Language Teaching and Therapy

`The range of topics and authors is both extensive and impressive; the book includes chapters on oral language development, early reading, early writing, the involvement of parents and developing literacy with bilingual children. The importance of non-verbal language, so often by-passed in books of this kind, is emphasized in a number of chapters, which focus on a broader interpretation of literacy. These include the use of drama, puppets, costuming and even hot seating. Several of the chapters extend these ideas for language and literacy development beyond the confines of the classroom or even the school, adding a cautionary note that too often previously competent young language users become responders rather than initiators the minute they walk through the door of the classroom' - Child Language Teaching and Therapy

This book will help develop professional knowledge and expertise in the area of language and literacy in the early years. It relates current practices to relevant research and theory in a range of areas. It provides a framework for the planning and delivery of an early years language and literacy curriculum, with references to the Desirable Outcomes.

The authors take a broad approach to the concept of literacy and acknowledge the impact that developments in technology have on children's interaction with language and texts. The book recognises the wide variety of experiences that children have had before entering under 5's settings and incorporates work on cultural and linguistic diversity.