Early Literacy Activities: How Reading Builds Language and Learning Skills

mom reading to baby

Reading to your child helps promote brain development, social interaction, and language development. It is important to expose your child to books early and show them that books and reading are enjoyable.

Reading Tips for Encouraging Listening, Language, and Learning

  • Put simple colorful pictures in your child’s crib so that they can be exposed to symbols and pictures.
  • Choose brightly colored board or plastic books your child can see, taste and feel.
  • Choose books with simple pictures or real photos. Early on, it is best to start with books that have one picture per page with bright colors.
  • Share books that have pictures of family members or familiar objects so that your child can begin to associate pictured objects with real objects.
  • Point to pictures and name colors and nouns (people, animals, things).
  • Talk often to your child and explain what you are doing or thinking. This helps increase your child’s ability to understand language concepts.
  • Choose books that rhyme or have a rhythm to them. Children like things that are repetitive and predictable.
  • Have sturdy books available within your child’s reach, such as on a low shelf or basket.
  • Use nursery rhymes, finger play (itsy, bitsy spider), and music to enjoy playing with words.
  • Involve your child in “story-time” activities and take them to the library as often as possible.

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