This is my very first blog post on Littles Love Literacy, so it seems fitting to start with the basics:
Who do we focus on for early literacy?
This blog is specifically designed for parents and teachers to work with their littles before they enter kindergarten. Research shows that the greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age five. In fact, the developing brain triples in the first year alone and is virtually formed by the time a child enters kindergarten! Focusing on literacy development from birth to age five will lead to a solid literacy foundation and more success in the future.
What is early literacy?
Simply put, literacy is the ability to read and write. Early literacy focuses on setting the foundation for these skills before a child enters school and begins formal reading lessons. Studies show that the SINGLE most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home before beginning school.
Woah, did you catch that?!!
I can’t stress it enough… exposure to literacy is crucial in the early childhood years, and we as parents hold so much control over this!
Where do we do this?
The short answer is….anywhere! Literacy education doesn’t need to be formal or confined to one room in your home. You can expose your littles to books, language, and reading everywhere and anywhere! It is important to create a print-rich home as well. Research shows that children who live in print-rich homes and who are read to during the first years of life are much more likely to learn to read on schedule. So pack those bookshelves with lots of books, magazines, newspapers, and anything else you can get your hands on!
When do we do this?
Every single day! But it doesn’t have to take much time. We are busy parents and, try as we might, we can’t always fit in detailed activities for our littles. But we CAN commit to reading at least one book to them every single day and doing fun literacy activities with them a few times a week. Those moments add up over time…..just imagine how many books your littles will have heard and literacy activities they will have done by the time they enter kindergarten!
Why is early literacy so important?
As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. The amount of time you spend reading and speaking to your child will greatly impact their success later on in life. The nurturing and one-on-one attention you give your littles during read alouds and literacy activities at home helps them form a positive association with books and reading later in life. And since reading is the foundation for success in all subject areas, it cannot be overlooked.
These first five years are crucial, and Littles Love Literacy is here to help make things easier for you! Check out the FREE section to start building a strong literacy foundation with your little one now!
And if you’re looking for more tips, check out the hashtag #littlesloveliteracytips on Instagram.
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Happy Reading!
