What are the two main components of emergent literacy?

Emergent literacy encompasses the foundational skills that children develop before they can read and write independently. The two main components of emergent literacy are reading and writing.

Reading involves the ability to understand and make sense of printed text, which begins with exposure to books, storytelling, and engaging with print in meaningful ways. Children learn how to recognize letters, understand the concept of words, and develop a sense of narrative structure, all of which are critical before they can become proficient readers.

Writing, on the other hand, includes the skills necessary for composing language through marks, letters, and eventually words. From scribbling and making letter-like forms to writing simple words and sentences, these early writing experiences are instrumental in aiding children to connect their spoken language with written language.

Both reading and writing are interrelated, as skills in one area reinforce and support the development of the other. Together, they form the basis upon which more advanced literacy skills are built, facilitating a child's journey towards becoming a competent and confident reader and writer.