Toddlers

Early Literacy for Toddlers

Toddlers are putting all of the information that they are collecting about the world into use. This is an excellent time to instil the 6 skills of early literacy. Here are some ways to do this at home (watch the matching videos):

Letter Knowledge

• Read alphabet books together; they are a great way to focus on one letter at a time
• Point out things around the house and say what letter they start with
• Play with magnets or cutout letters – move them around to make new words!

Narrative Skills

• Use books as a starting point to talk about the pictures within. Ask questions about what you see and give your toddler lots of time to tell you his answer
• When talking with your toddler, give things an order ("We will have lunch and then we will go to the park")
• Encourage their curiosity and answer as many of their questions as possible

Phonological Awareness

• Read together every day.
• Have conversations with your toddler; the tone of your voice will help them learn what a question sounds like!
• Use shakers, drums, and other simple instruments to help break up songs and words into syllables

Print Awareness

• Run your finger under a word as you read it; this will help children to see where words start and end
• Encourage your child to 'read' to you from books, using the pictures as a guide.
• Hold a book upside down and see if your child notices!

Print Motivation

• Create a special time for reading, such as just after dinner or right before bed. It will become a time that your child looks forward to
• Talk to your child about their interests, and choose books that they like to read
• Read books with colourful pictures or special features, such as pop-ups, flaps, or textured pages

Vocabulary 

• Try putting labels up around the house with the names of objects; children will connect the word and letters to the item
• Speak directly with your child. They are much more likely to understand and remember words that are addressed to them.
• Gradually introduce more specific words (for example: when your toddler points out a bird, expand on what she's said. "Yes, that's a bird! That's a red robin!")