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Current conceptions of literacy – insights from work with children and older learners with sensory needs
Author(s) -
Watson Linda,
Douglas Graeme,
Hodges Liz,
McLinden Mike,
Hall Nigel
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of research in special educational needs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 1471-3802
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2004.00022.x
Subject(s) - literacy , work (physics) , government (linguistics) , psychology , critical literacy , sensory system , pedagogy , mathematics education , cognitive psychology , engineering , linguistics , mechanical engineering , philosophy
There have been many efforts to conceptualise literacy, both in terms of its essence and component parts, but it has proved difficult to define. This paper considers work that is undertaken with children and older learners with sensory needs in order to promote the early stages of literacy. Recent government initiatives aimed at fostering literacy development have caused teachers of children with sensory needs to re‐examine their practice. The paper discusses early literacy as part of children's attempts to communicate and describes children with sensory needs engaging in a range of activities that are termed ‘literacy’ by those working with them. By taking into account these activities, the authors endeavour to throw light on the broader questions around concepts of literacy.