Initial literacy and its development from childhood education. Review of the concept and applied research

Abstract

This article outlines the basic conceptual aspects of formal literacy and initial literacy, explaining its importance for the child’s psychological and academic development. In the second part of this article, certain activities that can promote the development of initial literacy skills in children are underlined, as well as how parents and pre-school teachers can perform a series of literacy activities. Several studies in this field are presented in the third part of this article, aiming at explaining the kind of research carried out, the tools used to assess the participants thereat, a series of methological aspects that can address research and the procedures to foster pre-academic psychological development. A few final considerations on this issue are made, particularly on the findings of research in this field.