Early Literacy

Early Literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually do it themselves. From the earliest experiences; babies chewing on books to your preschooler "writing" a grocery list for you, all literacy interactions are important. Parents and Caregivers - you are your child's first teacher.

You can help your child learn those important skills now so that they will be successful in school, and later in life. You can also lay the groundwork to show them that learning can be FUN! Don't worry about flash cards and programs. Instead, have some fun with your child and engage in activities that are fun, natural and relaxed like playing games, singing songs and telling stories. Your child will grow up associating pleasure with learning.

Researchers agree that children are more likely to become good readers if they start school with three sets of accomplishments:

• Oral language skills and phonological awareness: Children are able to comprehend and to express themselves with a wide range of words. They are able to distinguish the sounds as well as the meaning of words.
   
• Print awareness and letter knowledge: Children have learned that the black and white marks on a page represent spoken words. They are able to name the letters of the alphabet.
   
• Motivation to learn and appreciation for literary forms: Children have been exposed to a wide variety of literary experiences and have learned to love books and stories.

For more information about the six identified Pre-Literacy Skills children need to develop into strong readers and what you can do to help, download a printable guide for parents from the Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) here.
 

Raising a reader

• Begin when your child is born and spend time reading every day.
• Sing to your baby.
• Repeat nursery rhymes.
• Visit the library. Ask about storytimes. Borrow books to share with your baby at home.
• Choose books with colorful pictures and simple words--or no words at all.
• Read with expression--or just tell the story in your own words.
• Hold the book so your child can see the pictures clearly.
• Let your baby play with the book.
• Encourage your toddler to point out objects, repeat words, and talk about the story.
• Reread your child's favorite books over and over again.
• Use the technique of dialogic reading to help a child stay actively involved with a story and develop reading comprehension. Instead of reading the story straight through, ask the child open-ended questions about the story: "Why do you think Goldilocks ate Baby Bear's porridge?" "What do you think will happen next?"
• Read or tell stories in the language you are most comfortable with. It doesn't have to be English!
• Help your child develop phonological awareness --the understanding that words are made up of smaller sounds--by playing games with the sounds of words and repeating rhymes.
• Tell stories about your family and your culture.
• Encourage older children to read to their younger brothers and sisters.
• Be an example to your children; let them see you read books too. 

More tips for book sharing

• Set aside a special time each day, such as nap time, bedtime, or after meals.
• Share books when you and your child are both in a relaxed mood.
• Take advantage of "waiting" times to share books--on trips, at the doctor's office, in line at the grocery store.
• Reading even 5 or 10 minutes a day to young children helps them get ready to read on their own.

This information can be found on the Born to Read website of the Association of LIbrary Service to Children (ALSC).

Recommended Web Sites:

National Center for Family Literacy for suggestions on other family literacy projects

Reading is Fundamental for literacy information broken down by your child's age and including a section for the Whole Family. Also links to the new site Leading to Reading with interactive literacy building games, books, articles and advice to help you in your quest to raise a reader.

Zero to Three offers parents information on children's brain development, developmental milestones, early literacy, and choosing quality child care.