Literacy
 5 Things to Know or Do:
Read! Reading books every single day is one of the best ways to help children develop early literacy skills. As you read, talk about the pictures and what is happening in the story. Let children see that adults love reading too.
Write! Early writing looks like drawing and scribbles. Provide plenty of paper, crayons, and pencils to help young children explore. Adults can model their own writing with children, by sharing how to make a grocery list or send a birthday card to a friend.
Play! Play helps children put ideas and feelings into words. Give children lots of time to play indoors and outside. Play with young children as much as you can. When adults join in on the play, it helps extend children’s thinking and learning.
Talk! Children learn language by listening to people talk. Talk with your child about what you are doing. It may seem silly at first, but telling children about what you are doing helps them put words with objects and activities. While getting dressed to play in the snow, you might say: “I am going to put these big black boots on your feet because it is cold outside”.
Sing! Singing slows down language and helps children hear the sounds that make up words. Sing with young children any chance you have! Try singing the ABC song, nursery rhymes, familiar songs, or make up your own tune.
 4 Children Read Alouds
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 Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley (Fairfax Library) Little ones will jump at the chance to join these zany animals and children as they stomp, wiggle, roar, and spin their way through the day.
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 I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont (Fairfax Library) To the tune of “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More,” one creative child floods their world with color.
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 LMNO Peas by Keith Baker (Fairfax Library)
Get ready to roll through the alphabet with a cast of busy little peas as they introduce their favorite jobs, from astronaut to zoologist.
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 Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Esadora (Fairfax Library)
A toddler plays a game of peekaboo, and you’re invited to play too!
 3 Links to Visit
- Fairfax County Library: Early Literacy
- NAEYC: Articles for Families on Literacy
- The Library of Virginia: Day by Day Family Literacy Activity Calendar
 2 Videos to View
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Early Literacy Skills (Fairfax County Public Library)
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Babies, Toddlers, and Early Reading (Zero to Three)
 1 Point to Access Research
- Family and Community Engagement Research Compendium Scholastic: Early Literacy
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