The Role of the Arts in Early Language and Literacy Development

In this Special Issue, we seek to respond to and present current research relating to how the arts, especially children’s literature, can support young children in communicating with others and developing their imaginative and creative potential in the contemporary world. The development and use of each individual’s cultural and linguistic resources provide the basis for learning how to interpret meaning and also how to make connections to their own lives. A teacher’s pedagogical stance, including storying and the choice of quality literary texts and other resources, should ideally reflect these goals. To this end, this Special Issue will explore current topics including the relationship between different ways of making meaning through various art forms and the centrality of the development of wellbeing and the affirmation of identity.