Partner with families to learn about their language practices, stories, and literacy-related interactions at home, recognizing that children bring rich knowledge and skills from their first languages and cultural experiences. Dual language learners should have opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the standard in both their first language and English, with supports such as first-language use, cross-language connections, gestures, visuals, and props. These opportunities allow young dual language learners to build on what they know and can do in their first language as they continue to develop communication, language, and literacy skills in all their languages.
Place alphabet mats throughout the classroom. Have the children walk from mat to mat while music is playing. Once the music stops, the children fi nd an alphabet mat. Randomly choose a child to tell you which letter they are standing on. You can vary this activity throughout the year by asking them for the sound the letter makes and/or a word that starts with that letter. This could be done in large group.
