Do existing policy and teacher guide documents address the requirements for emergent literacy in grade R?

Abstract

The Department of Education has issued a large number of policy and teacher guides to give assistance to teachers in the Foundation Phase including those in Grade R. However, a review of these documents revealed that of the 12 documents only three were specific to Grade R and of these only one made a brief reference to the development of emergent literacy. This article argues that it is important to incorporate the appropriate content for emergent literacy in all the documents and not merely present simplified Grade 1 literacy content to Grade R learners if we are to prepare them for formal instruction in grade 1. The content that is regarded as the core of emergent literacy is discussed and recommendations are made on how to upgrade the present documents.

Keywords: Department of Education, emergent literacy; pre literacy, Grade R, guide documents