The Early Years Literacy in Education SIG is a forum providing a strong collective voice to develop and promote research-informed practice in early literacy pedagogy. The group advocates broad and balanced approaches to early literacy education that acknowledges the relationship between literacies (both print and digital) and children’s play, and celebrates the diverse range of literacies that children bring from their home and community experiences.
The group aims to build a community of practitioners, researchers, consultants and lecturers in Initial Teacher Education to develop key principles for early literacy pedagogy that recognises and celebrates the experiences that children bring to the classroom. The group will consider how policy is shaping literacy in the EYFS and how this impacts on young children. Through collaboration with Early Years organisations, the SIG hopes to strengthen engagement with policy makers and effectively promote broader conceptualisations of early literacy in curriculum and practice.
The Early Literacy in Education SIG has four interrelated areas of work as follows:
- Developing principles into practice, drawing on research from multiple perspectives of literacy;
- Collaborating with outside agencies;
- Early Literacy in Initial Teacher Training;
- Digital Literacies in early literacy.
The Early Years Literacy in Education Special Interest Group is co-convened by Karen Daniels and Lucy Rodriguez Leon.
The Early Years SIG is not active in 2022 – 2023, but if you are interested in participating in the future work of this group, please contact Karen at K.Daniels@shu.ac.uk, or Lucy lucy.rodriguez-leon@open.ac.uk