The American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read program identifies a series of practices that will help young children develop the literacy skills that will prepare them for reading and future school success.
The five practices of early literacy include:
Talking
Talking with children helps them learn oral language, a key component of literacy. Children learn about the world around them by listening to others talk. They also learn new words and what they mean.
Singing
Singing provides another way to learn about language. It also helps children hear the sounds that make up words.
Reading
Reading with children helps them increase their vocabulary, knowledge and learn how print and books work.
Writing
Writing helps children learn that letters and words stand for sounds and that print has meaning.
Playing
Children learn about the world and language through play. Play also provides a way for children to express themselves.
Staff incorporate many of these practices into storytime. Our dramatic play space in the Youth Services Department provides a way for children to cooperatively play with one another while also practicing early literacy skills. We also offer a variety of resources including books, kits and activities that further support early literacy.