Birth Through Preschool
Resources
- Why Babies Need Books
"Numerous studies confirm that reading to infants not only boosts speech and language development, but overall intelligence as well. When you read to your baby, you set the stage for a lifetime of literacy." – Scholastic
- A Child Becomes a Reader: Birth through Preschool
This is a booklet of things you can do with your children from birth to age four to become readers and ideas for books to read and organizations to contact if you would like more help or information. – National Institute for Literacy
- Activities for Reading and Writing Fun
Many activities to do with your young child. – Department of Education
- Helping Your Child Become a Reader
Activities for children aged birth to 6 to enjoy with their families. – Department of Education
- Helping Your Child Learn to Read at Home
"A parent is a child's first reading teacher. Families play an important role in laying the foundations for children to become readers. Sharing books with children is the most important step they can take, but there are other ways in which families can help young children get ready to read." – Reading Rockets
- The Early Years Are Learning Years
"Some parents assume that learning to read starts with memorizing the alphabet and sounding out words, but actually the fundamentals of reading begin much earlier. Adults lay the foundation for reading every day, when they point out objects to an infant, go grocery shopping with a toddler, or cook with a preschooler." – Reading Rockets
- Sounds and Letters
An overview of the building blocks of reading. – Reading Rockets
- How to Raise a Reader
"Begin reading to your child in infancy. Start with cloth or board books with colorful, simple pictures. Cuddle your baby in your lap as you look at books together. You don't even need to read a story -- you can just talk about the pictures. Even if a baby doesn't understand the words you use, she feels the connection with you." – Parents Action Network
- Early Literacy Questions and Tips
"Early literacy theory emphasizes the more natural unfolding of skills through the enjoyment of books, the importance of positive interactions between young children and adults, and the critical role of literacy-rich experiences." – Zero to Three
- Read Write Now!: Activities for Reading and Writing
7 different activities to do with your child. – University of Delaware
- Early Childhood and Parenting
"Early childhood, birth through grade three, is a time of rapid growth and development. Research has shown unequivocally that during these critical first years, young children go through a long period where play and hands-on experiences are vital to learning." – New Horizons
- Facts About Early Literacy
"Children from low-income families typically enter school a full year and a half behind their middle-class peers in language ability. The average middle-class first grader has been read to more than 1,250 hours. For some children in low-income families, the comparable figure is 25 hours.
-University of Chicago" – Begining with Books
- Family Matters from Birth to Age 2
"Reading to your baby or toddler provides her with a loving introduction to the wonderful world of books — and reinforces your very special role as her first teacher. Its never too early to start." – Scholastic
- Seattle Public Schools: Building Blocks
"There's a new school of thought about reading. It may not be big news to literacy specialists, but other educators are catching on. Literacy isn't a switch that can be flipped on in first grade. It's more like a dimmer that gradually brightens from children's early years. Preschools can lay the groundwork for lifelong literacy success."
