Diverse Literacies in Early Childhood: A social justice approach

This important, research-based text explores the concept of literacy as social practice within diverse family, community and educational settings. Its theoretical premise - that literacy learning and life chances are inextricably linked - is underscored by practical example, teachers stories and real-world vignettes.

With close reference to the Early Years Learning Framework, this book acknowledges the multiplicity of literacy experiences that manifest in the lives of young children from birth to five.

It provides clear guidelines and foundational principles for tertiary students, early childhood professionals and primary school teachers, as they work to support literacy learning and prepare children for future success.

Diverse Literacies in Early Childhood:

• includes direct links in each chapter to the Early Years Learning Framework, Australian Curriculum, National Goals for Schooling and National Quality Standard
• includes case studies, sample documentation and examples
• outlines the importance of popular culture and digital media in the lives of young children and families
• explores the partnerships that extend all children's literacy participation across homes, early childhood settings and schools
• investigates ways of documenting and assessing children's literacy interests and pedagogies for extending literacy learning
• focuses on diverse sociocultural contexts.

Table of Contents

Introduction -Diverse literacies and social justice:Implications for educators

Chapter 1- Multiliteracies: Embracing the multiplicity of experiences called literacy

• Jean Ashton, Leonie Arthur and Bronwyn Beecher

Chapter 2 - Diverse literacy pathways

• Jean Ashton and Bronwyn Beecher

Chapter 3- Extending childrens literacies through partnerships between children, families, educators and communities

• Bronwyn Beecher and Criss Jones Daz

Chapter 4 - Utilising popular culture to extend childrens literacy

• Leonie Arthur, Bronwyn Beecher and Criss Jones Daz

Chapter 5 - Futuro Infantil Hoy and community capacity building: An international early childhood literacy project

• Christine Woodrow, Leonie Arthur and Linda Newman

Chapter 6 - Languages and literacies in childhood bilingualism: Building on cultural and linguistic capital in early childhood education

• Criss Jones Daz

Chapter 7 - Aboriginal families and communities: Embracing literacy in the early childhood years

• Katrina Mitchell and Alma Fleet

Chapter 8 - Early intervention for literacy learning

• Kathy Cologon and Margaret McNaught

Chapter 9 - Pedagogies for extending literacies

• Leonie Arthur and Bronwyn Beecher

Chapter 10- Literacy for under-threes

• Jean Ashton and Laurie Makin

Chapter 11 -Literacies prior to compulsory schooling

• Margaret McNaught and Leonie Arthur

Chapter 12 - Continuity of childrens literacy learning between educational settings

• Bronwyn Beecher and Leonie Arthur