Set your young child up for reading and writing by building knowledge, skills, and habits that create a strong foundation for future literacy.
- Knowledge
- Build conversation skills through play with peers
- Introduce new words
- Play letter, number, and counting games
- Go on community outings to stores, museums, and parks
- Skills
- Talk about the print you see around you
- Write lists
- Enjoy read-aloud books and talk about the pictures you see
- Habits
- Ask your child to tell you about what they draw/write
- Choose screen-time activities that encourage learning new words and letters
- Build reading and writing into everyday routines such as bedtime stories and grocery lists
- Start early with babies and toddlers
- Name familiar people, places, and things in photos
- Encourage scribbling to build small hand muscles for writing
- Encourage bilingualism by singing songs and reading stories in your family’s heritage language