Week 5

Week 5(Week 1) – 5^th September 2013
Emma Fitzpatrick 2107606

“The Socio-Cultural Context of Literacy Learning” Caroline Barratt-Pugh
“Being Numerate” Jenni Connor

I chose these two articles, as I wanted to know more about what is ‘literacy’ and ‘numeracy’. Although the articles didn’t fully specify what each are and mean, I did learn perspectives of literacy early learning and how to identify numeracy learning experiences. 

The literacy article I chose to read this week was “The Socio-Cultural Context of Literacy Learning”. I chose this paper as I thought that it would be an interesting read and begin to help me to recognise different areas of literacy in Early learning settings.

In this reading, 4 perspectives on Early Literacy learning were highlighted, compared and reviewed, although no theory is wrong. These 4 perspectives are:
-Maturational (Geseli)
-Developmental (Thorndike)
-Emergent (Piaget)
-Socio-Cultural (Bourdieu)
Each theory included a method of teaching, implications and roles of families and the community.

The readings main argument relating to children’s literacy was the ages in which the child begins to partake in literacy experiences. Each theory suggests different times, although the most recent- Social-Cultural (Bourdieu), suggests that literacy experiences begin at birth from their surrounds. As children take part in literacy experiences and activities, they build their knowledge, skills and understanding. Before coming to an early learning centre, children have already developed knowledge, skills and understandings, which aren’t always recognised formally.  The Socio-Cultural theory (Bourdieu) uses a critical analysis of different literacy practices and texts to help recognise children’s prior literacy experiences.

The numeracy article I chose to do was “Being Numerate” by Jenni Connor. The reason I chose “Being Numerate” was because I will need to begin learning more about numeracy in early learning settings, recognising and teaching.

In this article, the main concept was learning to identify numeracy-learning experiences in early childhood settings. The reading divided numeracy into smaller categories’ and provided examples of children’s experiences. This paper also provided connections between numeracy and the ‘Early Years Learning Framework’.

After reading these articles, I can now begin to recognise these perspectives and identify learning experiences in the field. From this, I can begin to think about planning and expanding, literacy and numeracy experiences.

References

(L) Barratt-Pugh, C. (2000). The socio-cultural context of literacy learning. In C. Barratt-Pugh & M. Rohl (Eds.), Literacy learning in the early years (pp. 1-27). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

(N) Connor, J. (2011). Being numerate. The Early Years Learning Framework Professional Learning Program No. 22, Canberra: Early Childhood Australia & Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).