Imagining the World through Language and Literature

This unit is designed to develop and deepen pre-service teachers’ knowledge of children’s literature as an essential part of language and literacy development. This will enable them to make informed decisions about selecting and using literature and language experiences in early childhood education. They will become familiar with and knowledgeable critics of a wide variety of genres, including poetic, narrative and informational literature, traditional tales, picture books, popular culture and new technologies suitable for use in early childhood education (birth to eight years of age).

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Identify and advocate how children’s literature is an essential part of literacy education.(birth to eight years of age).
2. Articulate how storytelling and picture books support language acquisition and literacy skills.
3. Examine factors, current trends and how popular culture impacts upon language and literature
4. Analyse a range of genres and conventions in children's literature, including folklore, picture books, storytelling, language games and poetry.
5. Demonstrate techniques of effective and engaging teaching that develops literacy skills.
6. Critically evaluate children’s language and literature resources