Did you know?
There are 5 recognized skills for early literacy.
Talking with children is one of the best ways to help them
learn new words and information.
Children need to receive and create language in order to learn it.
Some ways to incorporate talking with even the youngest babies:
- Narrate your day. This helps them learn sequences.
- Describe things around you, what you smell, or how food tastes.
- Label feelings as they occur. If your child reaches for food, say “You are hungry.”
Songs are a natural way for children to learn about language.
Singing slows down words to make the syllables more apparent.
Some ways to incorporate singing with even the youngest babies:
- Sing the alphabet and nursery rhymes.
- Listen to recorded music.
- Engage them in other rhythm-building activities, like clapping, marching, or dancing along.
Reading together is the single most important
way to help children get ready to read.
Some ways to incorporate reading with even the youngest babies:
- Start with board books that have high-contrast pictures, you’ll be surprised how your baby reacts!
- Smaller board books are great for little hands and encourage children to hold and turn pages.
- Try audiobooks!
Writing and reading go together.
Scribbles are the precursors to calligraphy and help children
learn that written words stand for spoken language.
Some ways to incorporate writing with even the youngest babies:
- Use different writing implements – finger paint, crayons, markers, and pencils.
- Take it outside – draw in the dirt or in the sand!
- Use a kid-friendly art app on your tablet.
Playing helps children experience the world
while developing fine and gross motor skills,
cognitive concepts, and language and social skills.
Some ways to incorporate playing with even the youngest babies:
- Do finger plays, like the Itsy Bitsy Spider, with your child.
- Use toys that engage your senses – colored blocks, rattles, and textured balls.
- Encourage your child to pretend and create stories!
Additional Resources for Early Literacy
