When we understand that children learn at different ages and stages, we can set realistic goals for our youngest children. Such goals lead children to develop early literacy skills that will last a lifetime.
— National Association for the Education of Young Children, n.d.-b
Just as no two snowflakes are identical, neither are any two young children’s language development journeys. The rate at which their vocabulary and comprehension grows is a culmination of both biological and environmental factors that is unique to each child. As an early childhood professional, you will need to develop the art of differentiation to design effective language experiences. You will also need to practice and hone your skills in successfully guiding and supporting a group of children. Becoming familiar with strategies and approaches that will assist you in working with children—one-on-one, in small groups, and as a large group—will be imperative to your success in fostering language acquisition, development, and literacy.
In this Discussion, you examine the concepts of direct instruction, implicit instruction, explicit instruction, and developmentally appropriate practice. You also create a scenario that incorporates at least three of these approaches and strategies.
To prepare
Reflect on what you may already know about direct instruction, implicit instruction, explicit instruction, and developmentally appropriate practice. Then, review the video Language/Literacy Instruction Approaches (Laureate Education, 2015) in this module’s Learning Resources. Considering all that you have explored in this module and information gleaned from your own research, create a scenario in which an early childhood professional is involved with children in a learning experience that enhances language development and/or literacy. When creating your scenario, do not use the terms but rather build at least three of these concepts and approaches—direct instruction, implicit instruction, explicit instruction, and developmentally appropriate practice—into your scenario.