While independent reading does not emerge until the ages of 6 to 7, focusing on early literacy skills can prepare children for this important milestone. Early literacy skills are the foundational skills that children need in order to have proficiency in reading and writing later in development. It is important to promote an interest in literacy from a young age. There are many activities that children can engage in everyday that will help develop these skills, and thus help promote success in school and beyond. 

Some ideas to help promote literacy at home are:

(0-12 months)

• look at objects and people around you and label them for your child
• read simple books with lots of pictures
• sing along to nursery rhymes

(1-2 years)

• sing along to nursery rhymes (and have your child start to fill-in words when you pause)
• read books with a few words and lots of pictures
• point to words and letters as you read
• have your child flip through the pages of books

(2-3 years)

• read books with simple language and repetition
• look at items with letters and numbers, such as colorful signs and pictures
• complete alphabet puzzles 

(3-4 years)

• complete activities or read books with rhymes
• practice rhyming with things you see around you
• read books with simple stories and then talk about the story, ask questions to check for understanding
• have your child make up simple stories about familiar people or pictures

(4-6 years)

• continue to read stories of increasing complexity to your child and talk about the stories
• have your child guess what might happen next in a story or pause to ask them about what just happened 
• write down stories that your child tells and have them draw pictures to go with the stories
• talk about the letters in familiar words and what sound each letter makes

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When should I seek help?

Delays in overall speech and language skills can be a sign that a child may have difficulty with literacy skills as well. For example, if your child cannot follow simple 1-2 step directions or fill-in common phrases, this may be related to a language delay. Additionally, if your child does not show interest in nursery rhymes or books/print, then literacy skills may be below age level expectations. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s speech and language, or literacy development, a speech therapist may be able to help. Take the Ladder Health Intake Screener here to get started. 

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(source: asha.org)

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