Let’s Talk

Laying the Foundations of Literacy through Conversation

February 2024; By Sara Silva- Coach, Child Care Connections

Did you know that reading and writing skills develop long before children learn their first letter? It all starts with the conversations that we have with children each and every day! In 2001, Dr. Hollis Scarborough designed a model for how children learn to read that looks at all the components that go into the complex skill of reading and writing. Take a look at the blue strands of the reading rope. What do you notice? That’s right, they all develop as children listen to the language used around them and through the conversations that adults (and peers) have with them. Here’s a bigger bonus, all those conversations can also build children’s brains and support the development of their positive self-image and strong social-emotional skills.

Research further tells us that young children benefit from 40 “conversational turns” per hour. Phew! That’s a lot of talking…and a lot of interactions. We’re here to help. Here are some resources to help get those conversations started (you’ll need to enter in your email to download these PDF resources from Lena):

• 14 Talking Tips
• Making Space for the 14 Talking Tips
• Get the conversation started with Conversation Cards (there’s one for each learning center)
• Making the most of story time: Conversation Starters for Reading and, last but not least,
• Conversation Starters for Feelings and Emotions (This resource takes social emotional development through conversation to the next level!)

Even more helpful, reach out to Judith (our coach serving Park, Gallatin, and Meagher counties) judith@cccmontana.org or myself (Sara, our coach serving Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater counties), sara@cccmontana.org for individualized, one-on-one support to get those conversations started and creating a language-rich early learning environment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Let’s get started!