What is early literacy?

Early literacy is what children know about reading before they can read and write. Research shows that a child's early literacy skills develop during their first 5 years of life, years before they start school. A baby chewing on a book, a toddler turning the pages, a child asking to hear the same story over and over, these early experiences with books and language lay the groundwork for your child's success in learning to read.

As parents and caregivers, we can help our children become better readers by fostering an atmosphere that is fun and stimulating. Don't 'teach reading', just have fun and offer opportunities to read, be read to, sing, and listen. By talking, reading, and playing with your child you're doing more than just developing early literacy skills, you're also stimulating the growth of your child's brain that will become the building blocks for reading. It's a proven fact. Children who grow up in fun, interactive, and literacy rich environments develop the early literacy skills necessary to succeed in school.