August 08, 2008 
As your child learns to talk, he develops speech and language skills that allow them to understand what others say to him and to express his wants, thoughts and feelings. At the same rate, he is becoming more aware of the printed world around him. Your child begins to learn skills that are critical to the development of literacy-reading and writing skills. Emergent literacy skills-early speech and language development, begins at birth and continues throughout the preschool years.
Your child sees and interacts with print in daily activities at home, in preschool, at the daycare and in the community. Gradually, your child combines what he know about speech and language with what he knows about print and become ready to learn to read and write.
As a parent or caregive, there are tools you can use to help your child develop great literacy skills.
- Talk to your child and name objects, people, and events in the everyday environment.
- Sing songs, say nursery rhymes and play rhyming games (patty cake).
- Read books that focus on sounds, rhymes and alliteration (words that start with the same sound).
- Draw your child’s attention to print in everyday environment (road signs, restaurant logos).
- Make regular trips to the library or bookstore.
- Read books that have repeatable and predictable events.
- Point to and run your finger under words while reading books to your child.
You can help your child develop literacy skills while doing regular activities without adding additional time and stress to your day. There are things you can do during planned play and scheduled reading times. The important thing to remember is to show your child that reading is a part of everyday life and can be fun and enjoyable for years to come.
Denise Moore Revel is a leading Speech Therapist who specializes in improving adult communication skills. Visit her website www.askthespeechtherapist.com and sign-up for the FREE online newsletter for more tips, ideas, and strategies on how to improve speech and language development.
