Emergent Literacy

The developmental process through which young children (typically birth through age 5) acquire foundational skills and concepts about reading and writing before formal instruction begins. For sighted children, picture books and illustrations play a crucial role by providing visual context that bridges listening and reading. Children with visual impairments often miss these opportunities, making accessible tactile pictures and hands-on materials essential for developing symbolic understanding, joint attention during reading experiences, and connections between objects and their representations. Emergent literacy encompasses print awareness, phonological awareness, oral language development, and understanding that symbols carry meaning.