A new definition of Social Media as a form of literacy is required

 Children have an early initiation in the literary process because I belive despite the advances in modern technology, we still live in a culture that values print, where print is readily available and where print has a many and varied number of functions in the daily routine of everyone's lives. Because modern technology still involves the process of reading and writing, now called typing, children are already aware of basic concepts of literacy before they enter formal education, even if they aren't exposed to many books at home. The major difference is the level of development in each child, just as it has always been.

Educational institutions and the people who influence and fund the curriculum need to take on board this diversity of thinking as a difference in technological development, not a deficit to teaching methods. The social aspects of literacy also need to be prioritised. Parents and literacy advocates alike must advocate for a new way to present reading, writing, listening, viewing and communication. Literacy must be woven into the social and cultural aspects of a child's life from an early age. A new definition of literacy means going beyond traditional practices because children bring their technological experience , their family and community experience and their own world view with them to school.

They are growing up in a world that has access to information in many forms, much of which still contains the written word. Our children will respond positively when shown reading and writing is used for functional purposes that they themselves use in everyday life, rather than a function they are to sit quietly and observe until such time they go to school to acquire the knowledge in a classroom environment. Our children are social creatures and we need to encompass the social nature of learning and language development. No current standardised testing allows for that. We are judging our kids on an outdated scale and then complaining about teachers not doing their job. That's not fair. As parents, educators and authors, we need to speak up on behalf of our kids. There needs to be a new definition of literacy.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com