Literacy, at its simplest, involves learning sounds and how they connect to make words—and how those words form the basis of language. As children become more literate, they can communicate more effectively and with more confidence.
In fact, one of Ohio's main goals is to improve student outcomes through early literacy. Ohio is focusing on early literacy because research indicates that it predicts academic success, school completion, and readiness for both college and a career.
Applying some best practices in early literacy can reap many rewards, so let's take a look at some of the benefits that a good early literacy program can provide.
When you read to your young children, you’re helping them develop their brains, according to a nonprofit agency that
A school readiness program shares how early literacy helps children to develop their vocabulary. By comparing children having quality literacy experiences with those without those experiences, there can be a 30-million-word gap—meaning the number of words they’ve heard—by the age of three. This puts the children with early literary exposure in a better position in kindergarten and beyond. These children will have the foundation they need to read, learn, and express themselves.
When children develop language skills, Penn State University explains, this can enable them to better share their feelings. They have words to describe how they feel. Because of this ability, early literacy can help children to develop in positive ways, emotionally and socially, and can reduce the number of behavior challenges they may have.
Empowered Parents shares fifty ways to help your children develop early literacy, ways that you can incorporate into your daily life. Here is a sampling of them:
In short, have fun while encouraging literacy!