Early Learning Environments

Abstract

The literature establishes that a child's language development begins before birth and precedes to the beginning of formal education. For this reason, the first place of learning is the home, under the guidance of parents and family. Therefore, on entering a school system, a young child already has a base of knowledge and can communicate competently in many ways. However, often the child's communicative competence in some aspects contrasts with the standards of school culture. This chapter sets out to highlight the importance of incorporating children's home languages into their formal learning environment during the first eight years of life. Further the chapter underscores the need to maximize the learning process, while respecting learners' cultural and personal identities, learners and their parents and guardians must be able to understand the significance of language for communication. Accordingly, providing a quality early learning experience must include accepting, embracing, and valuing each learner's home language.