Early exposure to reading and writing is very beneficial to all children. As parents we can provide various activities in everyday life to help support our children’s language and literacy skills and build the foundation for great reading and writing.
With toddlers
Early in development, children’s drawings are their writing, children make no distinction between the two when asked to write. Children soon begin to make separate marks representing writing apart from their drawings. These scribbles then begin to take on features of written text children see in their environment. Therefore, it’s important to give your children access to writing tools around the house. Here are some examples: blank paper, crayons, pens and pencils for pincer and fine motor practice, chalk and mini chalkboards and homemade clip boards with . . .
dry erase markers. Practice and access are the best keys to success later on.
Children who are drawing and scribbling usually do not yet understand that writing is related to speech. Similarly, when listening to a storybook being read aloud, children at this level may not understand that the text carries its own meaning. Their alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness, letter sounds, skills are at the beginning points in development. They may know a few letter names, such as the first letter in their name. They may also be working on phonological awareness skills that attend to larger units of spoken language, such as rhymes. Exposing them to books, reading, early writing, rhyming and alphabet games are ways to lay great foundation to later reading skills that will help them to succeed in kindergarten.
With preschoolers and early school-agers
Parents need to expose preschoolers and early school-agers to reading and writing as much as possible.
For example, you can support your child’s building literacy skills in everyday routines like pointing out words while driving in the car, going to the doctor’s office and pointing out letters and words on the wall or in magazines, grocery shopping or perusing the sale flyer and encouraging them to orally finish the words on pages in story books. If your child is interested in writing, roll with it, help them spell out words they are interested in spelling or help them sound out a word they are familiar with so they know what letter it starts with. There is so much we can do to help them get a head start on reading.
We think it’s important to note that not all children develop at the same rate. Some kids are interested in reading at the age of three while others may become interested at the age of seven. It’s important not to push your young children to enjoy reading and writing as this can deter them. Instead, having opportunities available to them to practice and encourage reading and writing at their own will is recommended.
Until next week, read and write lots with your little ones.
