An Insider's Guide to Education for Parents

Your Child’s Early Start On Language and Literacy Development Paves The Way To Success

42-17371503 Most parents recognize that the time to start thinking about your child’s language development isn’t when they are about to start reading, or even when they start talking. Literacy and language development begins in infancy.

Children who do not develop competency in language, reading, and writing skills can be limited in their opportunities for success throughout their entire life. Research has demonstrated that there are significant differences across families in the number of words a child hears per week, and those who hear fewer words and engage in less conversation by age 3 have smaller vocabularies than those with “richer” language experiences.

These differences have consequences. Language experience before age 3 can predict reading ability in grade 3. And students who are competent readers are more likely to perform well in other subject areas including mathematics and science.

The National Research Council’s landmark report, Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children, states that, “A person who is not at least a moderately skilled reader by the end of third grade is quite unlikely to graduate from high school.” (p.21) And, high school graduation is an important predictor of future economic success.

As a parent there is much that you can do to help your child develop critical literacy skills. Equally important, for those who entrust others to care for their children, whether in child care centers or preschools, family day care, or even with relatives or neighbors, there are important things to look for to ensure that your child is getting the best start towards a lifetime of success.

One great resource for parents about how to engage with even their youngest children is the Zero to Three Organization. They suggest some ways to make sure that books become a part of the everyday life of parents and children.

Simple tips such as reading aloud every day, showing children the words and asking them questions when you read to them, letting children turn pages, and keeping writing materials (crayons, markers, and paper) in each reach of children help you and your young child explore and learn together. And don’t worry about reading the same story time and time again. It may get old for you, but children learn through repetition, and they also can gain a sense of confidence and mastery from the familiar.

reading_02 And please, never forget the importance of just talking to your child and responding to their verbalizations, from cooing and gurgling to those questions you never dreamed they’d ask. (I promise, when your children grow up you may long for the days when your child wanted nothing more than to have you read them a book or even just sit and talk with them while you were playing together.)

And what are some things to look for in selecting the best environment for your child? The simplest advice is to look for evidence of language everywhere, and I mean everywhere.

Are the teachers or caregivers constantly talking with (not at) the children, or do they seem to be supervising them or giving them instructions rather than interacting with them?
Do they read to the children many times each day, and are books freely available to the children so they can explore them on their own? A child does not need to be able to read to enjoy looking at pictures, turning pages, or pointing to words.
Are there printed materials all around the room and opportunities for children to write, not just in a writing center, but throughout the room? Is there evidence of children’s early attempts at writing or children’s stories in their own words that were written out by adults?
Are rhymes, songs, and finger plays a regular part of the daily routine?

It’s never too late to start to help your child develop the literacy skills they will refine and develop throughout their lives—but it’s never too early to start either. So pick out a favorite book, sit with your child, and start reading today!