Answer to Question 1
Several factors have been identified as having important roles in early literacy acquisition. These include:
1. Opportunities to see lots of print and have easy access to books
2. Opportunities to observe adults using literacy in everyday situations
3. Adults who support children's literacy development by answering children's questions, pointing to letters, taking the children to the library, providing children with a wide variety of experiences, and initiating functional literacy activities
4. Literacy materials that support children's engagement in early forms of reading and writing
5. Experiences with adults who share books with children
6. Watching and discussing television programming together
Answer to Question 2
Traditional sharing involves having one child speak to the entire class. This activity can be transformed into a valuable oral language activity by limiting group size and encouraging children in the audience to actively participate by asking questions and making comments.