In the language-rich environments of kindergarten classrooms, children grow their capacity for verbal expression, listening and early literacy skills as they experience the books, songs, games, circle times and activities that incorporate these language skills into each day. They work with letters, print and symbolic representations in a natural and playful setting, as well as in small group lessons and activities. Phonological awareness — the essential component of later reading ability — is developed and practiced through word play, rhyming, singing, reading the morning message, making lists, learning letters, sounds and syllables.
Play allows for rich social interactions for literacy to emerge, and children begin to use written language in meaningful ways such as writing their name and the names of friends or family members, labeling pictures, writing about their experiences in a journal, making signs and charts, writing or dictating simple books, stories and poems individually or as a class.
Children are immersed in the reading-aloud of many picture books and beginning chapter books and learn to identify and discuss some of the elements of story, characters and other interesting details. Reading aloud non-fiction is also an important part of the curriculum, as children build understanding about emergent themes, interests and areas of study.
The school library program provides a weekly opportunity to explore and pursue their own reading interests and further develops their joy for reading. The Handwriting Without Tears curriculum is used to help build foundational writing skills like pencil grip and letter formation.