Early Literacy Tips 

Green Valley Ranch Branch Library
4856 N. Andes Ct. 80249
720-865-0310
www.denverlibrary.org
Hours:
Mon:  10-6
Tues:  Closed
Wed:  12-8
Thur.:  Closed
Fri:  10-6
Sat:  9-5
Sun:  Closed

Early Literacy Begins With You

Tips from the Green Valley Ranch Branch Library

Early literacy means creating a foundation for future success in reading. Early literacy is not teaching your young child to read.

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. You can do simple things every day to help your child get ready to read. The Green Valley Ranch Branch Library has some tips to give you ideas of things you can do with your child to prepare him or her to be a great reader.

The little things you do with your child will have a lasting impact on your child’s future as a reader.


Early Literacy Tips from the
Green Valley Ranch Library

Talking with your Child is a Valuable Gift and Learning Tool

When you and child are talking you can develop your child's vocabulary by extending the conversation. If your child says "I see a truck.", you can expand on this by repeating what your child says and adding more details. You might say, "Yes, I see the truck too. It’s a green dump truck. It's probably going to a construction site." Have fun talking!

Singing Nursery Rhymes Helps Children Hear Different Sounds in Words

This is a skill children need before they learn how to read. You can have fun singing nursery rhymes like

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.

Five Activities for Developing Early Literacy

Five activities for developing early literacy are:

  • Talking – Children learn language by listening to their parents and caregivers talk to them. The more language children hear, the more words they know.
  • Singing – Children learn through songs. Singing slows down language so children can hear the different parts of words. This prepares them to read.
  • Reading – Reading with your child is the single most important thing you can do to raise a reader.
  • Writing – Reading and writing go hand in hand. Children learn pre-reading skills through scribbles and drawings.
  • Playing – Playing is a child’s natural way to learn. Pretend play is especially good because it helps your child develop thinking and language skills.

The little things you do with your child will have a lasting impact on your child’s future as a reader.