5 Practices of Early Literacy
Narrate events and ideas in your everyday life. This helps your child learn new vocabulary and to use words they know.
- Ages 0-1: Talk to your baby all the time, even if they can’t respond quite yet. Narrate your day. The more words your baby hears, the larger their vocabulary will grow.
- Ages 1-2:Â Encourage repetitive play. Your baby may want to spend 30 minutes moving blocks from one bin to another. They are learning about concepts like gravity and motion - encourage them to repeat these simple tasks over and over.
- Ages 2-3: Introduce new vocabulary while you play. Narrate what you are doing. Use the big words and the small words—as many words as you can.
- Ages 3-5:Â Encourage your preschooler to tell you a story. Try retelling a familiar book, what you did today, or make up a story together. This helps to build a skill called sequencing.
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
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.
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.
