Early Literacy - From Babyhood

Literacy begins at birth. Or even before. Babies in the womb are already listening to us. When they are born they will turn to the sound of their parents voices and react when they hear a familiar tune - often by becoming still so you know they are listening.

• Begin copying your baby’s facial expressions and soon they will be copying yours.

• Talk to your baby as they lie in their bouncer, or baby chair, have tummy time or when they are on the change table. Use an animated voice, short repetitive sentences, with lots of facial expression. Talk about what you are doing, what they are doing, their body parts.

• Read to your baby - a tiny baby just likes the sound of your voice and you can even read the newspaper. As they get able to sit in your lap with their head unsupported, introduce board books and simple picture books. Board books are good because they can turn the pages for themselves. Talk about what you see on the page.

• Sing songs to your baby. Research nursery rhymes if you don’t know any and learn a few simple ones, and action songs. eg. Two little eyes that open and close. Singing these and doing actions teaches your child words and helps develop their finger and body movements.

All of these things begin to develop the baby’s understanding of language and vocabulary. Vocabulary is a key component of reading success. The more words the child knows when they begin to learn to read, the more successful they will be.