Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.
Parents and caregivers are their children’s first and best teachers; your Library supports early literacy instruction for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers through Every Child Ready to Read, a joint project of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children.
Key pre-reading skills
Pre-readers are more likely to enjoy long-term success as readers if they:
- Know lots of words
- Notice the small sounds in words
- Expect books to be fun or useful
- Know how to use books
- Retell stories, or make up new ones
- Understand that each letter has its own shape, name, and sound
Key practices
Research shows that children acquire the key pre-reading skills by engaging in these five activities every day with loving adults:
- Talking
- Singing
- Reading
- Writing
- Play
Learn more
- Our baby, toddler, and preschool programs for children model Early Literacy Practices for caregivers.
- Invite a librarian to present an Early Literacy workshop for your group
- Watch for Early Literacy training events for parents and caregivers at the library.
