How can a paraprofessional support literacy development in early childhood?

A paraprofessional can significantly enhance literacy development in early childhood by promoting phonemic awareness and facilitating reading activities. This approach is foundational in early literacy education, as phonemic awareness—the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken words—is crucial for developing reading skills. Encouraging children to engage with reading activities helps to expose them to a variety of texts and fosters a love for reading. This engagement not only supports decoding skills but also builds comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking abilities.

In contrast, the other options do not support effective literacy development. Limiting exposure to books detracts from children's learning experiences and misses opportunities for vocabulary enrichment and comprehension skills. Focusing solely on writing skills neglects the importance of reading and the interconnectedness of reading and writing in literacy development. Enforcing strict reading rules can create a negative environment where children may become anxious about reading instead of nurturing their curiosity and enthusiasm for literature.