Talk, read, and sing together every day!
It's never too early to help your child learn.
Research has identified five early reading skills that are all essential.
Phonemic Awareness
Being able to hear, identify, and play with individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Phonics
Being able to connect the letters of written language with the sounds of spoken language.
Vocabulary
The words kids need to know to communicate effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Being able to understand and get meaning from what has been read.
Fluency (oral reading)
Being able to read text accurately and quickly.
You can help your child's language skills by talking, reading, and singing with him or her every day. It's easy to do and can make a big difference in how your child learns and grows!
Tip: Respond to your baby's first smiles, gurgles and coos – she's talking to you and wants you to talk too!
Tip: Hold and talk to your baby; smile and be cheerful while you do.
Tip: Read books to your baby every day. Praise him when he babbles and "reads" too.
Tip: Describe what you baby is looking at; for example, "red, round ball."
Tip: When you read with your child, have her turn the pages. Take turns labeling pictures with your child.