Letter of the Day | Literacy must be developed at multiple levels

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to the article, ‘ Literacy must be developed at the community level, says MOE’s Pinnock’, published in The Gleaner on June 18.

I am not writing to challenge the article, but to provide some additional information. Scientific data supports the idea that literacy development is important at the community level.

Also, according to scientific studies, initial literacy development begins in the utero or in the womb. While in the womb, babies begin learning language from their mothers. That is why pregnant women must read to their child on a regular basis while pregnant.

However, it is important to note that there is a significant difference between initial literacy development in the womb and formal literacy instruction in public schools, although they are both important for a child’s overall language and literacy skills.

In-utero or in the womb literacy development, or prenatal language exposure, focuses on the foetus’ ability to learn and respond to prosody (rhythms and intonations) of the languages heard during pregnancy.

Without getting into any more details, I would suggest mothers, fathers, and family, read, ‘When does literacy begin?’ https://brainspring.com for educational purposes, particularly women who are pregnant.

Brainspring information is easy to read and understand. It shows four pictures. The first picture shows a pregnant woman and a child reading a book together. The second picture shows only a pregnant woman reading a book. The third picture shows a child alone reading a book, while the fourth picture shows what appears to be a family reading a book together. A mother, father, and a child. Parents just do not need to read to their children when they are pregnant, but at least four days a week while their children are attending schools, and of school age, if possible.

Jamaica uses various strategies and initiatives to promote formal literacy instruction for initial literacy development, emphasising both pedagogical methods and resource provision. So there would not be enough space in this media to provide you with the key aspects of their approach.

However, the Workplace Literacy Programme (WLP), would be able to provide you more information than I can.

CARGILL KELLY