Literacy Tips
Birth through Age Five, November 2017
TALK, READ, SING
Reading Tips for Parents
Infants
Snuggle up with a book
When you hold your baby close and look at a book together, your baby will enjoy the snuggling and hearing your voice as well as the story. Feeling safe and secure with you while looking at a book builds your baby's confidence and love of reading.
Encourage your baby's coos, growls, and gurgles
They are your baby's way of communicating with you, and are important first steps toward speech. Encourage attempts to mimic you. The more your baby practices making sounds, the clearer they will become. Go ahead and moo, woof and honk!
Toddlers
Keep reading short, simple, and often
Toddlers frequently have shorter attention spans than babies. Look for text that is short and simple. Read a little bit, several times a day.
Ask questions
Take time to listen to your toddler's answers. Toddlers have strong opinions and interesting ideas about the world. Encourage your toddler to tell you what he or she thinks. You'll build language skills and learn what makes your toddler tick at the same time.
Preschoolers
Read together every day
Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.
Read with fun in your voice
Read to your child with humor and expression. Use different voices. Ham it up!
Give everything a name
Build your child's vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, "Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?"
Early Childhood Programs
Free Literacy Resources
Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Sign up for free books for babies to age five
Storyline Online: Books read online
Flint Public Library: Children's resources
Genesee District Library: Children's resources
Vroom: Building your child's brainGenesee County Preschool: Free preschool programs
Open ebooks: Free electronic book downloads
Mel: Michigan Electronic Library