The importance of early literacy . . .

Parents-- early literacy for your child begins with you. You can help your child be ready to read, even before Kindergarten! You are so important in helping your child get ready to read because:

• You know your child best!
• Children learn best when they are in a good mood, and you know your child's moods best.
• You can help your child learn reading skills in ways that are easiest for him/her.
• Children learn best by doing things-- and your child loves doing things with you! Take every chance you have to read with your child, tell and talk about stories, say nursery rhymes and sing songs.

There are six pre-reading skills your child can start learning from birth!

1. Narrative Skills: Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.
2. Print Motivation: Being interested in and enjoying books.
3. Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.
4. Phonological Awareness: Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.
5. Letter Knowledge: Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere.
6. Print Awareness: Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page.

According to research, these are the primary pre-reading skills that children must learn in order to learn to read. Activities you do to support each of these skills will change as your child grows.

We want to help! Visit the information desk at our library and request a parent's guide to early literacy for your child aged birth to five-years. Don't forget to ask us to direct you to books you can read with your child and to tell you about library programs you and your child can enjoy together.