1. "Unlocking Language Skills: The Development of Young Tom's Storytelling Abilities" 2. "Enhancing Literacy in Young Learners: Strategies for Fostering Narrative Skills like Tom's"

### QUESTION 1 **1.1 Describe the language stage that Tom displays. Give concrete examples to support your answer. (15)** Tom is likely in the **Advanced Language Stage** for his age, characterized by complex sentence structures and an ability to narrate stories effectively. At four years old, this advanced stage includes attributes such as: - **Use of Compound Sentences**: Tom can likely string together multiple ideas using conjunctions like "and," "but," or "because." - Example: "The rabbit was scared, but then it found a hiding place." - **Narrative Skills**: He can retell stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end, including key details and sequence of events. - Example: "Once upon a time, there was a bear who went to the forest. He met a friend and they had an adventure." - **Vocabulary**: At this stage, his language likely includes a wide array of vocabulary, including both nouns and verbs relevant to the stories he has heard. - Example: "The dragon flew over the tall mountains and breathed fire." - **Use of Past Tense**: Tom can describe events that have happened in the past. - Example: "Yesterday, Granny told me a story about a brave knight." - **Imitative Storytelling**: He might mimic the storyteller's voice inflections and expressive language used by his granny. - Example: "And then she said, 'Oh no! What shall we do?' in a very dramatic tone." **1.2 How can Tom’s grandmother employ advanced strategies and techniques to strengthen and promote his language skills through supplementary activities? (5)** Tom’s grandmother can use several strategies to further enhance his language development: 1. **Interactive Storytelling**: Encourage Tom to answer questions and predict what happens next in the story. - Example: "What do you think the fox will do next?" 2. **Story Extensions**: After telling or reading a story, she could ask Tom to change the ending or add to the story. - Example: "What if the princess had a magic wand? What would she do?" 3. **Role-playing**: Engage in role-play based on the story characters, which helps Tom understand different perspectives and uses of language. - Example: Granny could play the queen and Tom could play the knight. 4. **Descriptive Conversations**: Use open-ended questions to encourage more detailed responses. - Example: "Can you describe how the dragon looked when it was flying over the mountains?" 5. **Introducing New Vocabulary**: While telling stories, she can introduce new, more complex words and provide their meanings. - Example: "The castle was 'majestic.' Majestic means very beautiful and grand." **1.3 Recommend ways that you as a teacher can explore to advance the literacy development of children like Tom. (10)** 1. **Storytelling Sessions**: Include frequent storytelling sessions where children can listen and then retell stories in their own words. 2. **Interactive Read-Alouds**: Read books aloud and ask questions to engage children in discussions about the story, characters, and plot. 3. **Visual Aids and Story Maps**: Use story maps, pictures, and visual aids to help children understand and recall story sequences. 4. **Language-Rich Environment**: Create a classroom environment rich in written materials, including books, labels, word walls, and posters with new vocabulary. 5. **Dramatic Play**: Set up play areas with props related to stories (e.g., puppets, costumes) to encourage creative storytelling and language use. 6. **Vocabulary Development**: Introduce new words in context and provide opportunities for children to use them in conversations and writing. 7. **Peer Storytelling**: Pair children to tell stories to each other, which can encourage them to practice their narrative skills and listen attentively. 8. **Writing Activities**: Encourage children to draw and write their own stories or add to existing stories. 9. **Listening Games**: Incorporate listening games and activities to enhance children’s listening and comprehension skills. 10. **Parent Involvement**: Communicate with parents and provide resources or tips for them to engage in language-enhancing activities at home. ### QUESTION 2 **2.1 Justify your understanding of how children employ narrative skills. Provide concrete examples to support your answer. (40)** Children employ narrative skills through various stages of development, typically effective in storytelling and comprehension around ages 4-5. These skills are critical as they lay the foundation for literacy and cognitive development. Here’s a breakdown of how children use narrative skills: 1. **Sequencing**: Children start understanding that stories have a sequence (beginning, middle, end). - Example: "First, the girl found a magic lamp. Then, she made three wishes. Finally, she lived happily ever after." 2. **Character Development**: They describe characters’ traits, roles, and actions within the story. - Example: "The wolf was sneaky, and he tried to trick the little pigs." 3. **Plot Understanding**: Children grasp the basic plot and can recount it. - Example: "In the story about Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack climbs a giant beanstalk and finds a giant’s castle." 4. **Use of Language**: They incorporate rich language features, such as descriptive words and conjunctions. - Example: "The enormous, scary dragon roared loudly and angrily." 5. **Perspective-Taking**: Children begin to understand different characters’ perspectives and intentions. - Example: "The witch wanted to catch Hansel and Gretel because she liked to eat children." 6. **Problem-Solving**: They identify problems and solutions in stories. - Example: "The problem was that the princess was trapped in the tower. The solution was that the prince rescued her." 7. **Emotion and Motivation**: Understanding characters' emotions and motivations helps give life to the story. - Example: "Cinderella was sad because her stepmother treated her badly." Children often develop these skills by emulating storytellers they admire, such as parents, teachers, or even characters in shows. Through exposure to various stories and active engagement in storytelling activities, they internalize these narrative skills and apply them both in retelling known stories and creating their own narratives. Encouraging children to express their thoughts and narrate their understanding of events further nurtures these vital skills.

20) 2.2 Provide a detailed explanation of the benefits of using short stories to develop children’s narrative skills. (20) ANSWERS 1.1. The language stage that Tom is displaying is the Early Production stage. This stage is characterized by longer but simple sentences and an increased vocabulary. Examples from Tom's behavior include his ability to retell stories to his peers and his language resembling that of older children. 1.2. Tom's grandmother can strengthen and promote his language skills through various methods. One is by asking open-ended questions during or after storytelling, probing Tom for more details or his thoughts on the story. She can also help him construct sentences using new words and read books beyond his reading level together. She can also encourage retelling stories in his own words and introduce synonyms for common words. 1.3. As a teacher, you can employ different strategies to advance the literacy development of children like Tom. One is interactive read-alouds, where you read a story aloud and facilitate a discussion afterwards. You can also implement activities that enhance vocabulary skills, like word games or flashcards. Incorporating writing activities with storytelling can also enhance language development. 2.1. Children employ narrative skills to tell events logically and coherently, use appropriate details, and understand and apply the language of time. For example, if a child is asked to narrate a visit to the zoo, they may begin from the start of the journey, use descriptive words for the animals they see, and use terms such as 'first', 'then', 'finally' to denote the sequence of the events. 2.2. Short stories are a powerful tool in developing children’s narrative skills for several reasons. Firstly, they are digestible and age-appropriate, easing children into the basics of narratives. Additionally, they often contain clear elements of plot, setting, and character, which children can identify and discuss. They provide frames of reference for children, picking up new words, expressions, nuances, and techniques from stories that they can apply to their storytelling. The simplicity and repetition in short stories also ensure reinforcement of language skills, making them an effective tool in narrative skill development.