Emergent literacy, a process in which the child constructs concepts about the functions of symbols and print, is based on experiences and meaningful language facilitated by interactions with adults. This article presents a literature-based overview of emergent literacy and explores the fit between emergent literacy and the learning needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonE.S., DunleaA., & KekelisL.S. (1984). Blind children's language: Resolving some differences.Journal of Child Language, 11, 646–665.
2.
AndersonR.C., HiebertE.H., ScottJ.A., & WilkinsonI.A.G. (1985). Becoming a nation of readers: The Report of the Commission on Reading.Washington, DC: National Institute on Education.
3.
AnthonyT.L., FazziD.L., LampertJ.S., & PogrundR.L. (1992). Movement focus: Orientation and mobility for young blind and visually impaired children. In PogrundR.L., FazziD.L., & LampertJ.S. (Eds.), Early focus: Working with young blind and visually impaired children and their families, (pp. 80–111). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
4.
BlakelyK., LangM.A., & HartR. (1991). Getting in touch with play: Creating play environments for children with visual impairments.New York: Lighthouse National Center for Vision and Child Development.
ClarkK.L., SainatoD.M., & WardM.E. (1994). Travel performance of preschoolers: The effects of mobility training with a long cane versus a precane.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 88, 19–30.
7.
ClayM.M. (1991). Becoming literate: The construction of inner control.Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Educational Books.
8.
CraigC.J. (1996). Family support of the emergent literacy of children with visual impairments.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 90, 194–200.
9.
CraigC.J. (1994). Family support of emergent literacy practices for children with visual impairments. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN.
10.
CrespoS. (1990). Storybooks for blind infants and children.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 84, 39–40.
11.
CutsforthT.D. (1951). The blind in school and society.New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
12.
DokeckiP.C. (1966). Verbalism and the blind. A critical review of the concept and the literature.Exceptional Children, 32, 525–530.
13.
Dote-KwanJ., & HughesJ. (1994). The home environments of young blind children.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 88, 31–42.
FoyC.J., SchedenM., & WaiculonisJ. (1992). The Connecticut pre-cane: Case–study and curriculum.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 86, 178–180.
16.
GibsonL. (1989). Literacy development in the early years: Through children's eyes.New York: Teachers College Press.
17.
HarsteJ.C., ShortK.G., & BurkeC. (1988). The authoring cycle: A theoretical and practical overview.Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann Educational Books.
18.
HarsteJ.C., & WoodwardV.A. (1989). Fostering needed change in early literacy programs. In StricklandD.S., & MorrowL.M. (Eds.), Emerging literacy: Young children learn to read and write (pp. 147–159). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
19.
HiebertE.H., & FisherC.W. (1990). Whole language: Three themes for the future.Educational Leadership, 47, 62–64.
20.
KekelisL., & AndersonE. (1984). Family communication styles and language development.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 78, 54–65.
21.
KoenigA.J. (1992). A framework for understanding the literacy of individuals with visual impairments.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 86, 277–284.
22.
MarvinC., & MirendaP. (1993). Home literacy experiences of preschoolers enrolled in Head Start and special education programs.Journal of Early Intervention, 17, 351–367.
23.
MillerD.D. (1985). Reading comes naturally: A mother and her blind child's experiences.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 79, 1–4.
24.
MorrowL.M., & RandM.K. (1991). Promoting literacy during play by designing early childhood classroom environments.The Reading Teacher, 44, 396–402.
25.
NeumanS., & RoskosK. (1993). Language and literacy learning in the early years: An integrated approach.Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
26.
O'DonnellL.M., & LivingstonR.L. (1991). Active exploration of the environment by young children with low vision: A review of the literature.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 85, 287–291.
27.
PogrundR.L., FazziD.L., & SchreierE.M. (1993). Development of a preschool “kiddy cane.”Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 87, 52–54.
RockS.L., HeadD.N., BradleyR.H., WhitesideL., & BrisbyJ. (1994). Use of the HOME inventory with families of young visually impaired children.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 88, 140–151.
30.
StrattonJ.M., & WrightS. (1991). On the way to literacy: Early experiences for young visually impaired children.Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
31.
StricklandD.S., & MorrowL.M. (Eds.). (1989). Emerging literacy: Young children learn to read and write.Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
32.
SwensonA.M. (1991). A process approach to teaching braille writing at the primary level.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 85, 217–221.
33.
TealeW.H., & SulzbyE. (1989). Emergent literacy: New perspectives. In StricklandD.S., & MorrowL.M. (Eds.), Emerging literacy: Young children learn to read and write (pp. 1–15). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
34.
VygotskyL. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes.Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
35.
Walker-DalhouseD. (1993). Beginning reading and the African-American child at risk.Young Children, 49(1), 24–28.
36.
WarrenD.H. (1994). Blindness in children: An individual differences approach.New York: Cambridge University Press.
37.
YsseldykeJ.E., ThurlowM.L., & GilmanC.J. (1993). Educational outcomes and indicators for early childhood (age 3).Minneapolis: National Center on Educational Outcomes, University of Minnesota.