Early Literacy

Early literacy is everything a child should know about reading and writing before they can read and write. It is important because the development of early literacy skills through experiences with books and stories is linked to a child’s success in learning to read.

What can you do to encourage early literacy?

  • Read with your child
  • Tell and talk about stories
  • Say nursery rhymes
  • Sing songs
  • Provide an atmosphere that’s fun

Pre-reading skills your child can start to learn from birth:

  • Print Motivation – being interested in and enjoying books
  • Vocabulary – knowing the names of things
  • Print Awareness – noticing print, how to handle a book, and following words on a page
  • Narrative Skills – being able to describe things and events and to tell stories
  • Letter Knowledge – recognizing letters everywhere, knowing they are different from each other, and knowing their names and sounds
  • Phonological Awareness – being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words

Early Literacy Sites & Games

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ABCmouse

ABCmouse.com helps kids learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and much more. For kids age 2 to Kindergarten. Visit ABCmouse

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Cookie

Cookie offers a wide variety of online educational games and activities for kids, which stimulate their senses and add to their knowledge, and at the same time, make learning a fun activity. Visit Cookie

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Funbrain Jr.

Funbrain Jr. helps preschoolers and kindergarteners jumpstart their journey of learning with engaging online games, stories and printables. Activities help children with math, early literacy and problem solving skills, while also developing important computer skills. Visit Funbrain Jr.

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The Idea Box

Kids Crafts, Games, Activities, Recipes and More! Visit The Idea Box

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JumpStart

JumpStart is the ideal learning environment for kids with fun educational games, activities, worksheets & lesson plans for all grades. Get these online resources now! Visit JumpStart

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Nick Jr.

Play preschool learning games and watch episodes and videos that feature Nick Jr. shows like Paw Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Dora, Bubble Guppies, and more. Visit Nick Jr.

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PBS KIDS

Educational games and videos from Curious George, Wild Kratts and other PBS KIDS shows! Visit PBS KIDS

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Universal Kids

Universal Kids is a TV network for kids featuring a fresh mix of animated content, unscripted entertainment, and scripted storytelling. Visit Universal Kids

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Starfall

At Starfall, children have fun while they learn – specializing in reading, phonics & math – educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for children K-3. Visit Starfall