When most people think of early literacy, they think of the ABCs -- but recognizing the letters of the alphabet is actually one of the last steps in preparing to read. Just as children must sit up, crawl and stand before they can walk, youngsters go through predictable stages of early literacy development before they are ready to read.
Most parents know that reading to their child is important, but there are many other things you can do to ensure your child is ready to read. Simple games, writing activities and high-quality children’s literature are excellent tools to set your child on the path to a lifetime of learning.
Oral language development is the first step in early literacy. A baby learns to communicate her needs first through cries and later through words as she develops language. When adults respond warmly to her, she discovers that words are a powerful way to express ideas and get her needs met. This desire to communicate will later fuel her motivation to read and write.
“The more you talk with your little one and the more words that you use when he is present, the more words your child will have in his vocabulary,” said Renee Mizrahi, a reading specialist and author of "Secrets to Reading Success."
“Before a child can learn to read, he must first understand language and have a storehouse of words," she notes. "Because children learn language by first hearing spoken words, it’s never too early to start speaking or singing to your little one. You can talk or sing to your new baby or young child when changing his diaper, giving him a bath, feeding him breakfast or lunch or just going about your everyday activities.”
“Children do not automatically learn to read in first grade, they must be prepared,” said Renee Mizrahi, reading specialist and Adjunct Professor at Kingsborough Community College in New York. “Certain abilities known as reading readiness skills have to be in place first. A reading problem in the first grade can snowball and become more difficult to correct for each year it’s neglected.”
You don't need expensive equipment or supplies to foster early literacy skills. Model a love for reading and writing yourself and incorporate literacy into everyday activities. Susan B. Von Derau-Cornelius, Early Literacy Specialist for the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, California, offers several simple strategies:
Support language development by responding to your child, singing and having quality conversations throughout the day.
Support reading development by reading to your child daily. Help your child identify his name and the letters in his name. Make story time comfortable and fun. Visit the library frequently. Point out print versus pictures and letters versus numbers. Help children learn to track individual words and understand that spaces mark the place where one word ends and the next begins.
To encourage written language, set up a writing center with pens, markers, paper, envelopes and office supplies. Draw pictures together, write stories and make charts.
“Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they actually read and write,” said Megan Reide, senior director, education programs for KinderCare Learning Centers and its affiliated organizations. "Research shows that children arriving at kindergarten with strong early literacy skills are more likely to be successful in learning to read and write.”
Through stories, songs, fingerplays and games, children gain print-concept and phonemic awareness skills. Reading to your child for just 20 minutes each day is one of the best ways to develop these skills, says Susan B. Von Derau-Cornelius, early literacy specialist for the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, California.
Several things happen when parents read to a young child. The child comes to understand the structure of a story – that most books have a beginning, middle and end. Children learn that print runs from top to bottom and left to right. Later, children learn that the letters make sounds and, when put together, create words.
Choose stories that have a simple plot, clear illustrations and engaging text. Most children enjoy humor, rhymes and a repetitive, predictable language. Express your enthusiasm for reading often. Say something like “This is one of my favorite stories because I love the pictures” or “I can’t wait to read this funny story to you.” Read with gusto and animation.
If a child doesn’t respond to a story, put it away and pick something different. Select books that reflect a child’s interests and keep reading time playful and relaxing. Monitor a child’s interest level and comprehension as you read stories. You’ll soon develop an ear and eye for quality children’s literature.
When reading to your child, occasionally point out print concepts. Say something like “Look, these squiggles are letters that make the words to the story. The words always start at the top and go to the bottom.” Later, point out individual letters and their sounds, alliterations or rhyming words.
Preschool children enjoy the natural rhythms of language and respond to rhyming games, songs and fingerplays. These activities train their ears to hear the different sounds in words, and will lead to later reading success. “Phonemic awareness skills start with listening skills -- teach children to pay attention to all kinds of sounds. Start by playing musical chairs or rhythm clapping games,” said Kristen Bjorn, reading consultant and curriculum developer. “These skills lead right into phonics.”
Introduce the letter names by singing them or repeating them, advises Bjorn. Later, connect the letter shape with its name, and finally, the sound. Practice and review until children are quick, accurate and flexible at this.
Preschoolers enjoy writing and illustrating stories, and these experiences allow children to express their thoughts and ideas.
Initially, most preschoolers scribble or make random marks. Later, the drawings progress to recognizable figures, and soon after, children begin writing simple words to describe their pictures. Give your child a journal or notebook to write in, and provide a variety of writing tools. Also, give children opportunities to develop fine motor skills before writing letters.
Playdough, bristle blocks, stringing beads and painting all build the muscles necessary for writing. Show your child how to make the strokes that make up letters, such as horizontal and vertical lines, half circles and circles. Children must master these strokes before they can successfully write letters.
Use your child’s interests as a springboard for learning. If your child is obsessed with snakes or dragons, check out library books on the subject and encourage him to write stories in his journal.
Workbooks and flash cards may help reinforce skills, but they are most effective when used in combination with other meaningful strategies. Children are highly motivated to read and write as a means of communication. When letters are taught in isolation and solely in an out-of-context manner, children may lose interest or become frustrated.