Learning the purpose of texts

The tamariki are learning about reading and writing in authentic and meaningful settings. Here they are using the zoo sign to identify the animals because they know that the sign contains messages. Jahrome also consults his book using pictures to help him understand the words he can not yet read. Pictures and symbols are important to assisting the task of learning to read because they give hints as to what the message or 'story' is about.

Every little experience like this one puts in place another building block to form a solid foundation to learn to read and write within the structure of school settings.

Writing

Many of our children can write their names. This is great to take to school because it gives a starting point for the teachers to work from. Children go through stages of writing development to get to this point.

They begin the writing process by doing what we would describe as scribbles. This is an important stage in writing development because it shows that the child is aware that symbols and 'writing' contain messages that communicate ideas.