Building Blocks of Literacy: Teaching Reading in Early Childhood Classrooms

Teaching Learning

This report outlines the essential components of teaching reading to young children, particularly in diverse classrooms. It emphasises seven foundational skills: oral language, home literacy, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Each component is linked to key literacy theories such as behaviourism, constructivism, social constructivism, and cognitive psychology. Strategies for effective instruction—such as culturally relevant pedagogy, direct instruction, scaffolding, and modelling—are suggested to cater to linguistically and culturally diverse learners, including Indigenous children and English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Oral language is highlighted as the cornerstone for developing all other literacy skills. The report also references national guidelines like the Early Years Learning Framework and the findings of the National Reading Panel to support pedagogical choices. The conclusion reinforces that effective early reading instruction must be intentional, inclusive, and tailored to individual learning needs.