Emergent Literacy: For Early Talkers Age 0 to 2 Years

-Six Pre-Reading Skills you child can start learning from birth!

1. Print Motivation

Begin reading books early, even when your child is a newborn.

Make book sharing a special time.

Let your baby see you reading.

Visit your public library often.

* Children who Enjoy books will want to learn how to read.*

-Piggies by Audrey Wood

2. Vocabulary

When your baby babbles or talks, listen carefully and answer.

Ask your baby or toddler questions.

Speak clearly.

Speak in the language that is most comfortable for you.

Read books together every day. Name the things you see in the pictures.

*Children with bigger vocabularies are better readers*

-Here Are My Hands By Bill Martin

3. Print Awareness 

If there are only a few words on the page, point to the words as you read them.

Read aloud every day. Read labels, signs, menus—print is everywhere.

*Children who are comfortable with print are better readers!*

4. Narrative Skills

Tell your child stories.

Encourage your toddler to tell you about things. Listen carefully and ask questions.

Read favorite books again and again.

 *Talking with children about things develops comprehension skills that will help them understand what they read.*

Read alphabet books.

Point out letters on toys, food boxes, and other objects around the house.

Talk with your toddler about the similarities and differences between two objects.

*Recognizing shapes and letters prepares children to read.*

-Color Farm By Lois Ehlert

-Chicka Chicka Boom Boom By Bill Martin

6. Phonological Awareness

Add actions as you sing a song or recite a poem. This helps your child break down language into separate words.

Singing songs is a good way to help your child hear syllables in words. In most songs, each syllable in a word gets a different note.

Make up your own silly nonsense rhymes.

Say rhymes and sing songs in the language that is most comfortable for you.

READ WITH YOUR BABY

How you read to babies and toddlers makes a difference in how ready they are to learn to read. As you read, engage them in the book.

Ask Questions: “Where is the kitty?”

Pint and Exclaim: “There’s a bird!”

Ask them to find familiar objects: “Find the doggie.”

Which Books are Best for Early Talkers?

Babies and toddlers like books with thick, sturdy covers and pages; small size for little hands; bright, colorful pictures; simple geometric shapes; clear pictures with high contrast between objects and backgrounds; pictures of human faces; few words; nursery rhymes.

For toddlers, the story can be more involved, and pictures can have more detail; be about things they can relate to – animals, dressing, what they see and do; have rhyme and rhythm; have repeated phrases or repeated happenings; be predictable.