This book outlines seven strands of practice for the foundation years upon which successful teaching of literacy skills depends. Written by literacy specialist Sue Palmer and early years consultant Ros Bayley, it draws on the advice and experience of many professionals involved with this age group, including speech and language therapists, literacy and music specialists, early years advisors, developmental psychologists and - above all - practitioners from around the UK and, indeed, from across Europe. Foundations of Literacy provides fun activities for three to six year old children, designed to develop the skills, concepts and knowledge underpinning literacy. Alongside, are clear explanations of the research and reasoning on which they are based. It also provides practical advice on helping children transfer this learning into their own, child-initiated activities, to build a genuine and solid foundation for literacy. Sue Palmer, a former primary headteacher, has written more than 200 books and educational television programmes on aspects of literacy and contributed to several National Literacy Strategy training packages. She also writes regularly in the Times Educational Supplement and Child Education, provides in-service courses in schools, universities and LEAs throughout the UK and acts as a literacy consultant to the DfES, many educational publishers and the BBC. She is at present working with Pie Corbett to develop a CBeebies television series to support Foundations of Literacy. Following an extensive career as an early years teacher, Ros Bayley now works as an early years consultant, trainer and storyteller. Throughout her career she has devoted much time to developing children's creativity and imagination through story, puppetry, music, dance and dramatic play, and has shared her strategies with practitioners both in the UK and abroad. She also has a passionate interest in the development of literacy skills and has written a wide range of resources for foundation stage practitioners.