5 Tips to Build Early Literacy Skills
Set the Stage for Reading Success: Tips for Teaching Letters, Sounds, and Pre-Reading Skills
Dear Reader,
Reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn. But did you know that the foundation for reading begins long before kindergarten? Building early literacy skills—like recognizing letters, understanding sounds, and practicing pre-reading strategies—sets a child up for success in school and beyond.
Here are 5 simple tips to help young learners get started:
1. Make Letters Part of Everyday Life
Point out letters in your surroundings—on signs, food packaging, or books. Talk about the sounds each letter makes to help children connect letters with their phonetic sounds.
2. Play Word Games
Engage young learners in rhyming games or “I Spy” with beginning sounds. For example, “I spy something that starts with ‘B’ (ball)!” This makes learning fun and interactive.
3. Read Aloud Daily
Reading aloud exposes children to new words, sentence structures, and the joy of storytelling. Pause to ask questions or let young learners guess what happens next.
4. Use Hands-On Activities
Incorporate tactile learning by having the child trace letters in sand, form them with playdough, or practice writing with colorful markers.
5. Celebrate Progress
Praise young learners for their efforts, no matter how small. Building literacy skills takes time, and every step forward is worth celebrating!
“Let’s build confident, capable readers—one step at a time!
— Miss Brooke
