TIPS FOR PARENTS
Not sure how to measure progress? These tips and links can help.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD ON THEIR JOURNEY TO LITERACY
Birth to 6 months
LEARN: Newborns enjoy rhythmic sounds and repetition. The sounds of lullabies and nursery rhymes will be your child’s introduction to literacy. DO: Recite nursery rhymes and sing lullabies to your baby.
6 to 12 months
LEARN: Babies this age begin to form an interest in the stories rather than just the sounds. Around this time, they also learn by touching. DO: Let your child play with vinyl and cloth books while reading the stories.
12 to 18 months
LEARN: Around a year old, babies begin to settle into routines and learn visually. DO: Establish a set story time and point out pictures while reading.
Toddler
LEARN: As a toddler, children begin to learn that books are special and incorporate storytelling in their language development. They begin to show a clear preference for certain books and will ask to have that book read to them over and over again. DO: Build reading into a daily routine and use this time to point out letters and numbers to your child.
Preschool
LEARN: Young children begin to recognize words in the world around them. When they reach this age, they also begin to understand structure and story elements. They develop awareness that letters are all around and many are able to recite the alphabet. DO: As you read, point out important features of your child’s favorite book and use stories to introduce new words, pointing to the words with your finger as you read along.
Kindergarten
LEARN: By kindergarten, children can recognize upper and lower case letters and read certain words and simple books. They understand that writing is from left to right and grasp story plots. DO: When reading with your kindergartener, let them read and help only with difficult words. Keep reading sessions short and don’t limit reading to only books — ask them to read anything they see, from menus to street signs.
First Grade
LEARN: Many first graders know words by sight. At the end of first grade, children can recognize at least 150 words and read simple books smoothly. They can also determine when they’ve made a mistake. DO: Encourage your child to read out loud daily and re- read their favorite books. Introduce new, age- appropriate books to help them become comfortable with new words. Ask them to correct errors by posing questions like “does that sound right?”
Second and Third Grade
LEARN: At this point, your child’s reading comprehension is developing. They will still use decoding skills to sound out difficult words, but will become more fluent over time. They may prefer to read independently at this age and develop their own strategies. There are many levels of reading ability in second and third grade. DO: Ensure your child has age- appropriate books to read and establish an independent reading routine. Encourage them to read new books on topics that interest them.