5 Practices of Early Literacy
Drawing and scribbling develop fine motor skills and teach children that print represents spoken sounds. It can also help children develop eye-hand coordination and the fine motor control they need to hold a pencil.
- Ages 0-1: Practice activities that build finger muscles, such as picking up Cheerios and grasping toys.
- Ages 1-2: Practice activities that build finger muscles, such as crumpling paper, completing simple puzzles, and grasping small objects like shakers, straws, spoons, and more.
- Ages 2-3: Explore shapes. Letters are made of shapes, so identifying shapes is a first step towards recognizing letters. Play with physical letters, such as magnets or letters made from playdough.
- Ages 3-5: Color and scribble! Ask your preschooler to write about their drawing. Even if they aren’t writing letters, this helps them recognize that written words stand for spoken words.
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
Write it out!
Encourage children to “write” and share stories about the special things they did with a person they care about.
Create a geeting card together.
Help your child write or draw a thank you letter to someone special.
Discover new things to do...every day!
Get daily ideas for what to read, watch, sing, and try with your child from the Day By Day Ohio Family Literacy Calendar.
Ready, set, balance!
Why? Writing skills start with a strong core. Think tummy time for babies and standing on one leg for toddlers & preschoolers.
Write it out!
Encourage children to “write” and share stories about the special things they did with a person they care about.
Create a geeting card together.
Help your child write or draw a thank you letter to someone special.
Discover new things to do...every day!
Get daily ideas for what to read, watch, sing, and try with your child from the Day By Day Ohio Family Literacy Calendar.
Ready, set, balance!
Why? Writing skills start with a strong core. Think tummy time for babies and standing on one leg for toddlers & preschoolers.
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.
