Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors
Introduction
Language
Emergent Writing
The Environment
Go to Assessment
Emergent Reading - Motivation


Key components of Motivation (Page 1 of 2)


Related Standards

Standard: V.A.1 - Shows motivation for reading.

View Explanation of Standards

Children’s Feelings
Children’s feelings about their early experiences with print impact their motivation to learn to read. Positive and engaging early literacy experiences make it easier for children to persevere when encountering challenges in learning to read.

Daily literacy activities in the prekindergarten classroom should be playful and play-based. Daily enjoyable and engaging encounters with books and print—powerful read-alouds, opportunities to hold and look at books, acting out a favorite story—guarantee that young children experience literacy as important, enjoyable, and useful. How adults react to children’s early attempts to interact with books and print can also be highly motivating. For example, a big smile and an encouraging tone of voice let children know that their attempts to retell a story or read a book to themselves are reasons to celebrate.

Rewards of Reading
Help children appreciate and experience the rewards of reading. While some book readings will focus on skill development, at other times your focus will be on meaning and communication. Help children see how reading can be enjoyable and purposeful. It is important to enjoy and discuss books with children. Include many read-aloud experiences that center on what is happening in the story, or on what children are learning or noticing in the book, or how characters are feeling. The rewards of reading go beyond enjoying a story. Reading a letter from a student who moved away, or off a chart about the special person of the day, or a menu in a restaurant demonstrates multiple purposes for reading.

Finding ways to make relevant connections between literacy events in school and children’s home lives is also motivating for children. Letting children take home a favorite book or labeling a photo journal from a class field trip to share at home establishes connections between home and school.

Remember, success motivates! Early encounters with literacy should be successful and enjoyable for children if you want to be sure they will be motivated to learn to read and to persist when facing reading challenges. Readily available tools for reading and writing, and your coaching and positive support, ensure that children will experience success.

 

 
Back Next
 

Home  |  About  |  Site Map  |  Contact

© 2005 Florida Department of Education