Literacy skills are important because children need these to read and write confidently. They should be given opportunities that will help develop their comprehension, reading and language abilities, as well as improve their overall communication skills.
If you think literacy begins when your little one begins school, think again. From the moment they are born, your child is already picking up skills they will need when they start to read. And while reading milestones vary for every kid, there are some things you can do to help pave the way for your child’s literacy and learning journey:
1. Lead by example.
How can you model love for reading if your little one often sees that you are easily distracted by your electronic gadget? But if they see you reading books, newspapers, or magazines, they will get curious about the activity too and eventually imitate you and start their love affair with reading as well.
2. Read to them aloud.
One of the most effective ways to improve your child’s comprehension is by reading to them aloud. When parents do this, kids learn how to pronounce words correctly and understand the emotions attached to the story better. You are also training your little one to develop an important communication skill: listening.
3. Ask questions and engage them in conversations.
When you read to your kids and engage them in a discussion about the book, you encourage them to speak more and want to learn more about different stories and books. Conversations help hone a child’s communication skills, so talk to them more and provide a safe space where they are not afraid to speak up.
4. Get them picture books as presents.
Children always look at striking illustrations first when they browse through a book, so picture books are perfect for little ones who are in the early stages of their vocabulary development. Illustrations help them understand that words have meanings so kids connect them with one another. When thinking of the perfect present for your child, a nicely illustrated picture book will not disappoint.
5. Encourage fun and enjoyable literacy activities.
Whether it’s singing nursery rhymes together or playing games, simple daily activities can be a great opportunity for literary development. Nursery rhymes teach children the sounds of vowels and consonants, and how to put these sounds together to make words. Games like “I spy” also help build their vocabulary.
