True or False: Early literacy is defined as formal instruction.

Early literacy is best understood as the foundational skills and knowledge that children develop as they prepare for reading and writing, rather than being strictly confined to formal instruction. This includes informal experiences such as shared reading, storytelling, and engaging in activities that promote language development and comprehension.

Recognizing that early literacy is broader than just formal instruction highlights the importance of a variety of interactions children have with language and text in different environments. These include home, community, and early care settings, where caregivers play a significant role in fostering literacy skills through everyday conversations and reading activities. Therefore, the notion that early literacy is solely defined by formal instruction overlooks many essential learning opportunities that occur naturally in children’s lives.