 "The
single most important activity for building the knowlege
required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud
to children. This is especially so during the preschool
years."
From Becoming a Nation of Readers
Early literacy is what children know about reading and
writing before they can actually read and write. Research
shows that children get ready to read years before they
start school. You can help your preschooler learn important
skills now so they can become good readers.
Why parents are so important in helping their children
get ready to read:
• You know your children best.
• Children learn best when they are in a good
mood, and you know their moods best.
• You can help your children learn reading skills
in ways that are easiest for them.
• Children learn best by doing things —
and they love doing things with you. Take every chance
you have to read with your children; tell and talk about
stories, say nursery rhymes and sing songs.
Ask your public library for the names of books to read
to your preschooler. Ask about library programs that
you and your child can enjoy together.
1. Narrative Skills
Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.
2. Print Motivation
Being interested in and enjoying books.
3. Phonological Awareness
Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds
in words.
4. Print Awareness
Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing
how to follow the words on a page.
5. Letter Knowledge
Knowing letters are different from each other; knowing
their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere.
6. Vocabulary
Knowing the names of things.
The Early Literacy Initiative
A partnership among the Public Library Association,
the Association for Library Service to Children and
the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
This information created by Dr. Grover (Russ) Whitehurst,
Leading Professor of Psychology, State University of
New York and Dr. Christopher Lonigan, Associate Professor
of Psychology, Florida State University.
Funding provided by the
Public Library Association (PLA) and the Association
for Library Service to Children (ALSC), divisions of
the American Library Association. Spring 2001
© copyright 2004 -- PLA/ALSC, divisions of the
American Library Association
50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611
Birth to Two-Year-Olds
Two and Three-Year-Olds
Four and Five-Year-Olds
BrainWonders Early Literacy pages
http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html
Reading Rockets
http://www.readingrockets.org
Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org
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