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Washington County Cooperative Library Services
Summer ReadingWhat is early literacy?
photo by Carf
What is literacy?
Literacy allows someone to:
- achieve their goals
- develop to their potential
- take part in society
Literacy is the ability to:
- read and write, and to
- communicate by reading, writing, listening and speaking
To be ready to read, and ready for school, kids:
- need to learn important skills now
- must have early literacy: what kids know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write
- need to be read to
Teach these six pre-reading skills ... by reading to your child. They can start learning from birth!
- Liking books
(a.k.a. Print Motivation)
Being interested in and enjoying books. - Knowing the names of things
(a.k.a. Vocabulary)
Knowing the name of things. - Following the words on a page
(a.k.a. Print Awareness)
Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. - Knowing about letters
(a.k.a. Letter Knowledge)
Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere. - Knowing the sound structure of a word
(a.k.a. Phonological Awareness)
Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. - Describe things and tell stories
(a.k.a. Narrative Skills)
Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.
Be sure to check out the ready-to-read booklists above for reading materials!