In our ECE classrooms, play-based learning serves as a foundational tool for the development of crucial literacy skills. Through various playful activities such as storytelling, dramatic play, and interactive games, our young learners engage in language-rich environments that stimulate their imaginations and creativity. By integrating literacy into play experiences, ECE classrooms create an environment where children naturally develop a strong foundation in early literacy skills while having fun and fostering a lifelong love for reading and writing.

Early literacy skills form the foundation of a child's academic success and lifelong learning journey. As parents, caregivers, or educators, we play a crucial role in fostering these skills from the very beginning. While formal education certainly plays its part, the home environment is where the foundation is laid. 

Below are some practical strategies and activities to cultivate early literacy at home, creating a nurturing space where early learners can develop and improve these skills. 

1. Read Aloud Every Day: Reading aloud is one of the most effective ways to instill a love for language and storytelling in children. Make it a daily ritual, whether it's before bedtime or whenever you have a quiet moment together. I emphasize the importance of reading to your children in your own home language, as it not only strengthens their language skills but also preserves and celebrates their cultural identity and heritage. Choose a variety of age-appropriate books, from picture books to simple stories, and let your child explore the wonders of language through your voice. Together, visit our PAS Learning Hub to check-out books and explore different genres, authors, and topics. 
2.  Label Things in Your Environment: Surround your child with written language by labeling objects around the house (I encourage you to do this together), displaying alphabet charts, and having a variety of books within easy reach. Encourage your child to ask questions about words they find and engage in conversations about what they see and read.
3. Engage in Interactive Storytelling: Move beyond simply reading stories by encouraging your child to actively participate in storytelling. Ask your child to retell stories from their own lives and make up stories together. Ask open-ended questions, encourage them to predict what happens next, or let them retell the story in their own words. This not only enhances comprehension but also boosts creativity and critical thinking skills.
4. Play With Sounds in Words: Play games like "rhyming words," where you say a word and your child identifies words that rhyme, or "sound matching," where they match objects to their beginning sounds. Look for pictures in books that you read together and ask your child: Can you find something on the page that begins with _ sound? Or play -I Spy by saying: I spy something that begins with _ sound. Practice blending sounds into words. Ask “Can you guess what this word is? m - o - p.” Hold each sound longer than normal. When you’re reading together with your child, pick a word from the book and say it with emphasis on the first sound. Pick another word and compare them. “Zzz-zookeeper and rrr-rhinoceros. Can you hear what sound zzz-zookeeper starts with? Is it the same as rrr-rhinoceros? Sing songs together!
5. Encourage Writing and Drawing: Provide plenty of opportunities for your child to practice writing and drawing. Supply them with crayons, markers, and paper, and motivate them to scribble, draw pictures, and attempt to write letters or their name. Offer different types of paper or staple paper into a book. This allows young learners to create their own stories or books for fun. It's important to note that at this stage, parents should avoid explicitly teaching their children to write. Instead, focus on creating a supportive environment where writing is encouraged and celebrated. Children learn best through exploration and experimentation, so allow them to discover the joy of writing at their own pace.
6. Make Literacy a Natural Part of Daily Life: Look for opportunities to integrate literacy into everyday activities. Whether it's writing a grocery list together, following a recipe, or reading signs during a walk around the neighborhood, show your child how reading and writing are essential skills used in the real world.
7. Be Patient and Supportive: Every child learns at their own pace, so be patient and supportive throughout their literacy journey. Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, and create a positive and encouraging environment where they feel confident to explore and experiment with language.

It's all about working together with home, school, and community. These simple tips can easily fit into your daily routine, creating a rich environment where your child can be exposed to literacy. Don't forget, the most important thing is to foster a love for reading, writing, and language that will last a lifetime. Remember, reading to kids in their own home language is key to nurturing their linguistic development and cultural connection.

Daniela Quirós Echeverría

ECE Coordinator