Literacy Resources for Parents

Literacy Development before the School Years

Background Information

While most pre-school children are not yet reading and writing, they are developing very important pre-reading skills that will influence their literacy learning as they begin school. This group of skills, known as phonological awareness, involves understanding that a word is made up of individual sounds. As you can likely imagine, there are many different aspects of developing this important skill. Rhyming, nonsense words, alliteration (when words have the same beginning sounds), and hearing syllables each have a part to play as children prepare to begin to read. You may notice that none of these have anything to do with reading. Rather, they are all speech based skills. Developing speech is such an important factor to early literacy that for some students it is possible to access early learning supports in schools. In Prairie Land, we call this the PUF program, and it is intended to support students with significant need to focus on developing their speech and language skills. If you would like more information, please be in touch with the Inclusive Education Coordinator at your community school.

Children may start pretend writing at this age as well, especially if they often see loved ones writing. This isn't the only part of their world that influences their writing though! Writing is a complex motor skill, so any sort of work that requires them to move their hands and arms, sit up, and move their limbs in specific ways is very important for them. Lots of play opportunity is important in order to develop their muscle control, stamina, and hand eye coordination. As children get older, the chance to copy and trace will support them as they transition into writing letters and then words.

While these skills are incredibly important for future learning, the good news is that practicing and growing can be very fun! Check out a few of the options below to find something that may work for your family.

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Activities to Try

Fill in The Blank

If you've read a rhyming picture book so many times that your child knows it by heart, read it aloud, leaving the last word unsaid so your child can fill in the blank. If this is too advanced for them, instead emphasize rhyming words by using an extra-dramatic voice on the relevant rhyming words.

Listen to silly songs on a roadtrip

Songs are an excellent way to develop phonological awareness. Add this playlist to the rotation and sing along! The songs on this playlist use word play to emphasize rhyme and alliteration, singing along will develop those all-important pre-reading skills!

Sound scavenger hunt

Choose a letter sound, then have your child find things around your house that start with the same sound. “Can you find something in our house that starts with the letter “p” pppppp sound? Picture, pencil, pear”

Encourage Fine Motor Play

Playing with blocks, playdough, bingo daubers, or finger paint strengthens your child's hand-eye coordination and muscle control. As you play, talk to them and use new or interesting words to describe what you are doing.

Books to Check Out!

While your child may still be years away from reading independently, having a love of reading can begin when they are young. Reading to very young children influences their language and vocabulary development, both important to their eventual literacy growth.

While you read to your child, sit close so that you are both looking at the book. Point out funny or interesting pictures and words, wonder aloud what might happen next, and ask your child to predict what happens next, or to fill in the last word of the sentence.