Play

Young children naturally learn how to express themselves and how the world works by playing. It requires only a small space, simple props, and some imagination and encouragement. You don't need expensive or special toys. Just make available props like large boxes, old clothes or costumes for dress up, plastic food containers, paper shopping bags, and empty toilet paper rolls.

Talk

Children learn language by listening to their parents and others talk and joining in the conversation. As children listen, they learn new words and what they mean. The first step in being able to read the word "dog" is hearing it as a baby... again and again and again.

Sing

Songs are fantastic ways to learn about language. They develop listening skills and slow down language so children can hear the different sounds that make up words. Clapping along with the beat helps improve motor skills and helps children learn the sounds in words. Songs also teach new words and introduce new ideas and concepts. Sing at home in any language. For rhymes and songs in Amharic (ኣማርኛ), Arabic (العربية), American Sign Language, English, Español, Italiano, Russian (РУССКИЙ), and Vietnamese (Việt), visit storyblocks.org.

Read

Reading books together is the single best way to help children develop early literacy skills. Read together every day and talk about the books you read. Children who are read to are more likely to want to learn to read themselves. Show your child that reading is important by letting him or her see you enjoying reading.

Write

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Writing activities help children learn letter names and sound out new words. Writing also helps children understand that written words represent ideas, places, things and events. Scribbling and drawing are forms of writing and it helps develop eye-hand coordination.

Resources for Parents

The Wichita Literacy Coalition has put together a resource guide for parents of children from birth to age five.