1st Edition

Early Years Non-Fiction A Guide to Helping Young Researchers Use and Enjoy Information Texts

By Margaret Mallett Copyright 2003
    208 Pages 13 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    208 Pages 13 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This lively and informative text examines children's first experience of non-fiction during the pre-school and foundation years. Its careful consideration of different kinds of quality non-fiction, including books, posters, charts and computer software will provide a helpful framework from which early years teachers can work.

    Annotated lists, notes, and suggestions for further reading make this is an ideal source of inspiration and stimulation placing literacy teaching in a fresh, modern context.

    This book offers a rich resource of information, with illustrated case studies and many examples of children's responses to non-fiction providing:

    • coverage of pre-school and foundation years for children up to six years of age
    • references to research findings on the place of non-fiction in early years
    • references to the National Literacy Strategy, Early Learning Goals and the National Curriculum for English
    • a substantial glossary of terms relevant to non-fiction reading and writing.

    The author's zest and expertise helps to give this book an infectious enthusiasm that will permeate the classroom, providing the nursery and primary school teacher, student teacher, or classroom assistant with an invaluable guide and resource tool.

    1. Language and learning in the early years: some guiding principles to inform non-fiction reading and writing 2. Early experience of pictures and print: environmental print; board, bath and cloth books; word books and books functioning as toys 3. Alphabet books: enjoying letters, words and illustrations 4. Counting and concept books: books to enjoy and learn from 5. Reading and writing non-fiction at home: Orla's books and writing Moving forward 6. Early informational writing 3-6 years: making a start with informational genre 7. Non-fiction texts and resources 3-6 years: choosing and using quality texts 8. Early reference books: dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopaedias 9. Learning from television and film: making viewing an active experience 10. Information and communication technology: computers and learning 11. The role of fiction in informational learning: securing a personal foothold

    Biography

    Margaret Mallett is currently Visiting Tutor in Primary English at Goldsmiths College, London. Her previous book with RoutledgeFalmer, Young Researchers: Informational Reading and Writing in the Early and Primary Years, won her the UKRA author award in 2001.

    'A very good and thorough study on several accounts. Detailed, clearly written and full of examples it makes an interesting read.'- School Librarian Journal

    'Thoughtful and reflective, and can also be put to versatile and practical use.' - TES Teacher

    'A 'must have' for adults involved in the education of Foundation Stage and Key Stage One children. It is…a rich resource for student teachers and staff working in the early years for the first time.' - English 4-11

    'This fresh new look at non-fiction for early years successfully combines a comprehensive evaluation for currently available sources with creative ideas that interface with 'real world' research-based theory...This book would be of interest to anyone interested in children's early literacy and a valuable resource on any staffroom shelf.' - International Journal of Early Years Education

    'An inspirational and perceptive guide...An outstanding resource for anyone involved in early years literacy.' - BfK