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  4. Early Literacy Instruction
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Early Literacy Instruction

three kids and an adult sitting at a table and one kid is writing

Providing a solid foundation for literacy is critical for young children who are already bilingual or are learning a second language.  These resources provide guidance on how to build that foundation as well as guidance on using a child's native language as part of their literacy development.

Featured Articles

  • 8 Strategies for Preschool ELLs' Language and Literacy Development
  • Early Literacy Instruction in Dual Language Preschools (Spanish/English)
  • Reading in Kindergarten

Related Video

Reading Maestros

Reading Maestros

Becoming Bilingual: First Steps

Becoming Bilingual: First Steps
PrevNext

Research and Reports

  • Early Literacy: Policy and Practice in the Preschool Years
  • Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth
  • Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel
  • Children's Story Retelling as a Literacy and Language Enhancement Strategy
  • Reading and Language Outcomes of a Five-Year Randomized Evaluation of Transitional Bilingual Education
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Major support provided by our founding partner, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.

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With generous support provided by the National Education Association.

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Colorín Colorado is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families of English language learners (ELLs). Colorín Colorado is an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital, and receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association. © Copyright 2023 WETA Public Broadcasting.

Artwork by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator David Diaz and Pura Belpr­é Award-winning illustrator Rafael López is used with permission. Homepage illustrations ©2009 by Rafael López originally appeared in "Book Fiesta" by Pat Mora and used with permission from HarperCollins.

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  • ELL Basics
    • Supporting ELLs Through COVID-19
    • New to Teaching ELLs?
    • ELL Glossary
    • Special Populations
    • Resources by Grade
    • ELL Resources by State
    • ELL Policy & Research
    • ELL News Headlines
    • Serving and Supporting Immigrant Students
    • Special Education and ELLs
  • School Support
    • Social and Emotional Support for ELLs
    • ELL School Enrollment
    • Bilingual & Dual-Language Education: Overview
    • COVID-19 & ELLs
    • College Readiness for ELLs
    • ELL Program Planning
    • Events During the School Year
    • Assessment
    • Programs for Success
    • Special Education and ELLs
    • School Libraries
    • ELL Family Outreach
    • For Administrators
    • For Paraprofessionals
  • Teaching ELLs
    • New to Teaching ELLs?
    • Distance Learning for ELLs
    • Creating a Welcoming Classroom
    • ELL Strategies & Best Practices
    • Language & Vocabulary Instruction
    • Literacy Instruction
    • Content Instruction for ELLs
    • Common Core
    • Special Education and ELLs
    • Technology & ELLs
    • The Role of ESL Teachers
    • Special Populations
  • For Families
    • Help Your Child Learn to Read
    • Learning Together at Home
    • The Preschool Years
    • Schools and Families: An Important Partnership
    • School Success
    • Raising Bilingual Kids
    • Technology at Home
    • Resources for Parents of Teens
    • Visiting the Public Library
    • When Your Children Need Extra Help
  • Books & Authors
    • Books for Young Children
    • Books for Kids
    • Books for Young Adults
    • Books for Professionals
    • Diverse Books: Resource Guide
    • Pura Belpré: Her Life and Legacy
    • Literacy Calendar
    • Meet the Authors
  • Videos
    • Classroom Videos
    • Webcasts
    • Meet the Authors
    • Meet the Experts
    • Meet the Administrator
    • Facebook Live Series
    • Supporting ELLs During COVID-19: Educator Voices
    • PBS Show: Becoming Bilingual
    • Family Literacy: Multilingual Video Series
  • Audience
    • Teachers
    • Administrators
    • Paraprofessionals
    • Librarians
    • Parents & Families
  • Resource Library
    • Guides & Toolkits
    • Reading Tips for Parents (Multilingual)
    • Reading Tips for Educators
    • Topics A to Z
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Research & Reports
    • Web Resources
    • ELL Resources by State
    • Colorín Colorado Blog
    • Natural Disaster Resources for Schools
    • Responding to a Crisis
  • News Headlines
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