6 Early Literacy Skills

What is Early Literacy?

Early literacy is everything children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write, including any interaction children have with books from the earliest stage of life. From babies chewing on a book to a preschooler pretending to read, all early literacy interactions are important. Parents and caretakers have an essential role in early literacy because learning begins long before children ever step foot in a classroom.

Parents and caretakers can help their children learn important skills now so that they can become good readers and writers later. The best news is that preparing children to be ready to read and learn is fun! Forget the flashcards, the computer programs and videos. Instead, engage in activities in a natural, relaxed way that will prepare children for school success: Playing games, singing songs and telling stories are all ideal activities. If parents or caretakers can do these things, their child will be ready to learn to read!

Children must learn six pre-reading skills to learn to read:  

1. Love Books (Print Motivation): Being interested in and enjoying books. 
2. Use Books (Print Awareness): Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and how to follow the words on a page.
3. See Letters (Letter Knowledge): Knowing that letters look different from each other and have different names and sounds.
4. Tell a Story (Narrative Skills): The ability to describe things and events and tell stories.
5. Make Sounds (Phonological Awareness): Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.
6. New Words (Vocabulary): Knowing the names of things. 

          For more information, visit one of these websites:

• Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library
• Reading Tips in Other Languages ¡Colorín colorado!
• Minnesota Humanities Commission: Tips for Reading with Your Children