Welcome to Language & Literacy

Infants are “wired” to learn language. An infant’s developing brain has trillions of possible neural connections built to acquire language, even multiple languages!

Infants and young children are social by nature and can learn much of the structure for language through interaction with others. Thus, it is important that several things occur. First, it is important that young children are exposed to literacy rich learning environments and meaningful experiences with language and print to support cognitive growth. Second, by talking with children, reading aloud, and providing experiences with writing at an early age parents, teachers, and caregivers build on a child’s capacity to understand and use of language. The combination of the two allows for a broadening of a child's understanding of the world around them.

The Early Learning Outreach Program website is a virtual resource center that provides information and resources for parents and educators aimed at adding to their understanding of child development and promoting quality early learning environments for children. The website will also feature training opportunities related to language and literacy development.

Check this website often for new information, resources, and updates on language and literacy development. Special effort has been made to incorporate information and examples that draw upon current research and practice relating to brain development, multiple intelligences, supporting English language learners, cultural competence and home-school connections.