Literacy Development
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Fosters a Love of Books and Stories
We bring stories to life with props, sensory experiences, and actions to make them exciting and memorable. -
Introduces Early Reading Skills
Children learn about sequencing, predicting what might happen next, and recognising familiar words and phrases. -
Encourages Mark-Making
Some activities offer chances for drawing in sensory materials (like sand or gloop) to explore early writing in a playful way.
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Six things you can do at home to support your child’s Literacy:
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Story Fun:
1. Create a Story Box
Fill a box with toys linked to a favourite story and act it out together.
Why it helps: Makes story structure and sequencing concrete.
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2. Sound Spotting
Play games to spot words that start with the same sound, e.g., “Can you find something beginning with ‘b’?”
Why it helps: Builds phonological awareness.
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Mark-Making Activities:
3. Messy Drawing
Use gloop, sand, or paint to draw shapes, letters, or patterns.
Why it helps: Develops writing movements without pressure.
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4. Name Recognition Games
Point out and read your child’s name whenever you see it (on artwork, coats, cups).
Why it helps: Helps children recognise that print carries meaning.
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Building Vocabulary:
1. Daily Conversations
Talk about what you’re doing as you go about your day.
Why it helps: Grows vocabulary and understanding of language structure.
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2. Nursery Rhymes and Action Songs
Songs naturally teach rhythm, rhyme, and new words.
Why it helps: Lays the foundation for reading and writing skills.
What is Literacy?
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Literacy is about building early reading and writing skills. It's much more than learning letters — it’s about developing a love of stories, exploring mark-making, and beginning to understand that print carries meaning.
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The area is broken down into two main components:
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Comprehension – Understanding and enjoying stories, rhymes, and information books.
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Word Reading and Writing – Recognising familiar words, playing with sounds, and making marks that eventually develop into writing.
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How is Literacy supported in Story Sense?
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Story Sense places books and storytelling at the very heart of every session.