Language and Literacy

The Crockett Early Head Start program promotes language and literacy development activities and goals for all children that linguistically appropriate and responsive to each child’s needs. Children who are dual language learners (DLLs) receive intentional support to develop their home language as well as acquire English.

Language development refers to children’s emerging abilities to understand and use language. Language skills are receptive—the ability to listen to and understand language—and expressive—the ability to use language to communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Children’s language ability affects learning and development in all areas, especially emerging literacy.

Emerging literacy refers to the knowledge and skills that lay the foundation for reading and writing. For infants and toddlers, emerging literacy is embedded in the Language and Communication domain.

Language and literacy skills can develop in any language, and for the most part, they develop first in the child’s home language. Supporting development of the home language helps prepare young children for learning English.

Children who are dual language learners (DLLs) receive intentional support to develop their home language as well as acquire English. For example, this may include creating environments that include their home language and culture; planning and organizing thematic instruction; and supporting them through transitions.

Special literacy events each year include Reading with Dad, Story time with the Public Library, BINGO for Books, and more.