Literacy

Young children are immersed in a world of language and literacy – they hear and sing songs; they listen to and speak with people; they are read to and tell stories; they see people paying attention to symbols in the environment. Language and literacy are primary drivers for making sense of the world.

Our approach to literacy supports children as they grow into confident readers, writers, and speakers. We build these skills through daily experiences that are fun, meaningful, and built into everyday routines.

Children develop language best through real, meaningful conversations woven into their daily experiences. That’s why each day at SEE begins with a Morning Meeting, where children and teachers greet one another, share ideas, and talk about the day ahead—building vocabulary and communication skills in a supportive setting. We also read with children every day, choosing books that reflect a wide range of cultures and experiences so that all children feel seen and valued. Teachers encourage conversation during and after reading by asking thoughtful questions, and children often create and read class books to extend their learning. Families are invited to share books in their home languages. Throughout the day, teachers continue to model rich, descriptive language—during play, meals, and routines—introducing new words naturally in the context of things children are already curious about.

Fine motor skills are the abilities required to make small, precise movements using the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists. These skills are essential for everyday tasks that require control and coordination, particularly in early childhood development. Through playful activities like cutting, stringing beads, tracing letters, and transferring small objects, children develop fine motor skills that prepare them to hold writing tools and form letters more easily. Children’s experiences in the classroom will support them to build:

• whole arm development needed for a strong/solid core
• whole hand strength needed for everyday activities such as buttoning and develop the endurance to complete activities such as writing
• pinch grip holding of an object between the thumb and fingers of a single hand
• pincer grip holding an object between the thumb and first finger

Our approach to handwriting is based on the Handwriting Without Tears program, which supports children in learning to write in developmentally appropriate ways. The classroom Writing Center gives children a space to create labels, books, notes to friends, and other meaningful messages using their early writing skills. We also include daily sensory and art experiences—like playdough, clay, and open-ended art projects—that not only build fine motor strength but also encourage creativity, imagination, and problem-solving through hands-on exploration.

Playful, purposeful experiences help children see writing as a powerful tool for communication, connection, and creativity. At SEE, we support children in becoming confident communicators by encouraging them to express themselves through speaking, drawing, and writing. Children use their own voices, written words, and illustrations to describe their experiences, tell stories, and share ideas with others. Each child has a journal where they can draw or write about real events or imagined stories, and we create class books based on shared experiences like nature walks, read-alouds, or topics that interest them. In Storytelling and Story Acting, children dictate their own stories and act them out with classmates—a joyful and creative practice that builds vocabulary, strengthens storytelling skills, and nurtures a sense of belonging.

Throughout the classroom, environmental print—such as picture schedules, labels, signs, charts, and daily morning messages—helps children connect spoken language to written words. These everyday forms of print are familiar, meaningful, and accessible, and children are actively involved in creating and reading them.

Phonological and phonemic awareness—learning how sounds and letters work together—is a key part of early reading development. At SEE, children build these skills through playful, hands-on experiences every day. They listen for rhymes, clap out syllables, and explore beginning sounds in words through songs, chants, and games. Children are supported to recognize sounds and connect them to alphabet letters in meaningful ways. We often begin alphabet learning with the letters in each child’s name, because names are deeply personal and familiar. This helps children connect emotionally to the learning process and builds confidence, identity, and early writing skills in a way that feels relevant and exciting. Tactile materials like sandpaper letters allow children to feel the shape of each letter as they learn its name and sound. As children begin writing, they often use invented spelling to create messages, signs, and notes for classmates, friends, and family. These joyful and purposeful experiences lay a strong foundation for future reading and writing by helping children make sense of the sounds and symbols that form language.