90% of a child’s brain capacity develops before age five.
By age three, a child’s brain has formed three quadrillion connections!
This period of rapid mental growth is the best time for children
to learn skills for early reading success.
Caregivers can help young children develop early literacy skills
by using these five practices developed by early childhood experts.
1. Read.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading to children
for 20 minutes each day.
2. Sing.
Singing is an enjoyable way for children to learn the sounds that make up words
3. Talk.
Have back and forth conversations with words or actions.
4. Play.
Playing fosters imaginative, flexible and symbolic thinking.
5. Write.
Writing encourages fine motor skill development,
including holding writing utensils.
Look for times to work these five practices
into your daily routine, like diaper changing time,
bed time, car rides, bath time, or getting dressed.
Just a few minutes each day of intentional skill building
can help the children in your life be ready to read!
Visit herrickdl.org/EarlyLiteracy for more information
on these five literacy practices.