5 Practices of Early Literacy
Unlock your child's potential for learning & reading. From birth, your baby can start to learn about reading, like how to sound out words and what direction to hold a book.
- Ages 0-1: Choose a time when your baby is relaxed and happy. Read for as long as your baby is interested. Just a page or two is fine!
- Ages 1-2: Show your baby a board book. (A board book is made of thick cardboard pages.) Let them explore on their own, even if that means books get chewed on or thrown.
- Ages 2-3: Read the same books over and over again. Pause before a predictable word and ask your toddler to guess the next word. Or ask what happens next in their favorite story.
- Ages 3-5: When reading, hold a book upside down until your preschooler notices. Show them how to hold a book. Talk about the book’s parts, like the cover, pages, title, and author.
Tear it Up!
Create collages by tearing paper with just your hands. This activity strengthens the muscles needed for gripping a pencil.
Tell Me a Story!
Ask you child to tell you a story. Why? This helps develop imagination and vocabulary.
Spring is Here!
On a nature walk, talk about the changes you see happening outside. Conversations help children learn about the world around them.
Make it a Letter Day!
Find the first letter of your child's name in books or labels. This helps them focus on the print and not just the pictures in a book.
Tear it Up!
Create collages by tearing paper with just your hands. This activity strengthens the muscles needed for gripping a pencil.
Tell Me a Story!
Ask you child to tell you a story. Why? This helps develop imagination and vocabulary.
Spring is Here!
On a nature walk, talk about the changes you see happening outside. Conversations help children learn about the world around them.
Make it a Letter Day!
Find the first letter of your child's name in books or labels. This helps them focus on the print and not just the pictures in a book.
Reading Challenge
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.
Suggested Websites
Literacy Tips for Parents
Tell Me a Story!
Ask you child to tell you a story. Why? This helps develop imagination and vocabulary.
Help Others!
Throughout the day, look for ways your child can help others. This develops social and emotional learning and expands vocabulary.
Share your childhood joy.
Tell stories about some of the favorite things you used to do as a child.
Concerned about your child’s speech development?
Get free advice from experts with Columbus Speech and Hearing.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Ashleigh M.
Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.
Annamarie C
Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.
Katie R.
Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Ashleigh M.
Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.
Annamarie C
Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.
Katie R.
Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
