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.
Read & listen to a picture book...with sign language!
Watch free videos of ASL retellings of books for kids. Reading and signing stories together promotes essential literacy skills for all kids.
Sing along...slowly.
Sing at a slower tempo. Why? So your child can hear the smallest sounds in the words.
Narrate it!
Why? Describing what you're doing during the day helps build your little one’s vocabulary.
Choose your own ending!
Before finishing a book, ask your child how they think the book will end. Why? This encourages creative thinking & a deeper understanding.
Let's go on a letter hunt!
Pick an alphabet letter. Then ask your child to find the letter on items. Why? This helps your child notice and focus on printed letters.
Pick it up!
Practice using tweezers to pick up things like pom-poms and cotton balls. Why? This helps develop the muscles needed for writing.
Imagine it...with a block, cup, or spoon!
Why? Simple toys like these encourage talking during play. This is a great way to practice pronunciation and build vocabulary.
Say my name!
Why? This helps your child focus. Use their name as an anchor before sharing new words,, like "Katie, look at that tomato."
Roll a ball back and forth.
Play catch or hot potato. Why? These activities encourage taking turns, which is an important conversational skill.
Pass the conversation jar...
...at the dinner table. Why? When you talk as a family, you help your little one gain conversational skills.
Read it again!
Why? Repeated readings of favorite stories encourage children to think more deeply about the story.
Play with pencils & crayons.
Playing restaurant, bank, or post office? Include paper, pencils, and crayons. Why? This encourages children to develop writing skills.
Play pretend.
Gather household items like empty boxes. Then ask, "What could you pretend this is?" Why? This develops creativity & problem-solving skills.
It’s showtime! Act out your favorite stories together.
Why? This engages the senses and allows children to experience their favorite story in a different way.
