Early Literacy at Home
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I know how important early literacy skills are for a child's future success in school and beyond. It's never too early to start building these skills, and caregivers can play a crucial role in their child's early literacy development. Here are some tips for how caregivers can teach their child early literacy skills at home.
1. Read aloud to your child
Reading aloud to your child is one of the best ways to introduce them to the world of books and reading. Even if your child is too young to understand every word, they will benefit from hearing the rhythm and intonation of your voice. As your child gets older, they will start to understand the story and be able to make connections between the words on the page and the world around them.
2. Point out letters and words in the environment
As you go about your day, point out letters and words in the environment to your child. For example, you could point out the letters on a cereal box or the words on a street sign. This will help your child start to recognize letters and words in the world around them.
3. Play with letters and sounds
Playing with letters and sounds can be a fun way to help your child learn early literacy skills. You could play games like "I Spy" where you name an object and your child has to find something that starts with the same letter. You could also sing songs that rhyme or play with word families (e.g. cat, hat, mat).
4. Make reading a part of your daily routine
Making reading a part of your daily routine can help your child see the value of reading and make it a habit. You could set aside a specific time each day for reading, such as before bedtime. You could also make trips to the library a regular part of your routine.
5. Encourage your child to ask questions
Encouraging your child to ask questions about the books you read together can help them develop critical thinking skills and a love of learning. Ask your child what they think will happen next in the story or why a character did something. This will help your child learn to think critically and engage with the story.
Early literacy skills are crucial for a child's future success in school and beyond. By reading aloud to your child, pointing out letters and words in the environment, playing with letters and sounds, making reading a part of your daily routine, and encouraging your child to ask questions, you can help your child develop these important skills at home.
If you have more questions about your child’s literacy skills or would like more assistance, connect with your Speech-Language Pathologist or contact Clearway Speech.
To find ways to support your toddler’s speech and language development, go to the ultimate blueprint to Help Your Toddler Talk.