What do we mean when we say 'literacy'?
Literacy is the key that unlocks a world of possibilities. It encompasses the power of reading and writing, opening doors to knowledge and understanding. By fostering literacy skills, individuals are equipped to navigate through the vast sea of information available, enabling them to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to society.
Why is it important to read to babies and young children?
By sharing stories, talking an singing with your child, you are supporting and helping your child to:
- Learn new sounds, words, and language
- Be imaginative and curious
Develop the ability to focus and concentrate - Learn social communication skills
Learn the difference between 'real' and 'make-believe'. - Process and understand new or frightening events, along with the strong emotions that come with these events.
- Learn about the world, their own culture and other cultures.
The special time you spend reading together promotes bonding and helps to build your relationship with your child.
Part of your daily routine
You can start reading to your baby as part of your daily routine as soon as you wish. Babies love the rhythm & rhyme of stories and songs and simply enjoy listening to your voice. You can read, sing and tell stories with your child in whatever language you feel most comfortable speaking.
Telling stories, singing songs and saying rhymes together are also great activities for early literacy skills. Making up your own stories or sharing family stories can be fun and still offers children many of the benefits of reading.
Make books part of your daily routine – take them with you to share and enjoy everywhere. Even 5-10 minutes of reading a day can make a huge difference to your child’s development! Be prepared to read favourite stories over and over again!
Check out your local Library- libraries have great varieties of books for children and adults that you can borrow free of charge.
Libraries also offer story times and activities for young children. Going along to these sessions is a way to help your child get familiar with the library, have fun and enjoy books and stories.
Telling stories, singing songs and saying rhymes together are also great activities for early literacy skills. Making up your own stories or sharing family stories can be fun and still offers children many of the benefits of reading.
Make books part of your daily routine – take them with you to share and enjoy everywhere. Even 5-10 minutes of reading a day can make a huge difference to your child’s development! Be prepared to read favourite stories over and over again!
Check out your local Library- libraries have great varieties of books for children and adults that you can borrow free of charge.
Libraries also offer story times and activities for young children. Going along to these sessions is a way to help your child get familiar with the library, have fun and enjoy books and stories.
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In what ways do play with puppets and songs support literacy learning?
Puppet play allows the parent to step into a child's imaginary world. By using puppets together, children and parents can have fun and:
- Make up stories
- Sing songs
- Have conversations that allow children to share how they are feeling
- Engage in role play
By engaging together, children develop early literacy skills of:
- Speaking and listening
- Emotional well-being, resilience, and self-regulation
- Imagination and concentration
- Fine motor skills
- Turn taking
Why you should take your children grocery shopping
Recognising Symbols Supports Children to Learn Letters and Numbers
- Look at the symbols on packaging and on signs and talk about what they mean.
- When children observe you buying things in real life, they will have a foundation of experience on which to build their knowledge about money.
- Enjoy your child's company be in the moment with them.
- Have conversations with your child as they ride in the trolley and make learning connections to their new experiences by commenting ot asking questions.
