Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 3.5: Develop emergent literacy skills of children
Learning outcome: Be able to lead activities which support emergent literacy
Assessment criteria: Identify benefits to children’s holistic learning and development when supporting emergent literacy
Holistic learning and development in child development is a process of looking at the child as an individual with multiple needs, capabilities, and potentials. It involves taking into account all aspects of the child’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual development. In particular, it focuses on understanding how the child’s cognitive abilities grow together with their emotional well-being and relationships with family and peers. Holistic learning looks at how interdependent these components are and how they must be taken into consideration when planning activities for children.
There are many benefits to children’s holistic learning and development when supporting emergent literacy. By engaging in activities that involve reading, writing, listening, and speaking, children can:
- Develop a better understanding of the world around them.
- Build and maintain relationships with adults and their peers
- Develop fine motor skills (e.g holding a pencil)
- Cognitive development (e.g by grasping the abstract concept of writing)
- Build connections between reading and other disciplines.
- Increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
- Strengthen their ability to express themselves in spoken, written and artistic forms.