Literacy Begins in Infancy

We all know how important the skill of reading well is to success in learning. A child that reads poorly struggles to learn and develops issues of poor self-esteem.

In the first four to five years of life, parents have a great opportunity to plant the seeds of literacy in fertile ground.

Make language interactive. Passive learning in front of a TV screen does little to develop literacy. In fact, too much television delays language development in toddlers. Talk, point and gesture, and allow your child to react and respond. Use voice inflection to get your baby's attention. Be animated in teaching new word and concepts to your child. Make listening and talking fun!

Children need to develop phonological awareness(the ability to grasp the parts ad patterns of words) in order to read well. They have to know the sounds of letters, alone and in combinations, so they can sound out words. Word play through rhyme, repetition, poetry and song is essential to developing early reading skills.

Practice alliteration where the beginning sounds are the same (baby boy, pretty pink petals) and rhyming.

Use clapping, stomping, dancing and other movements to reinforce sounds. Children are kinesthetic learners (they learn through physical interaction.)

Singing is another great tool. Music enhances memory. Ask Barry Manilow. He made millions in his early career writing advertising jingles. Even if you hate fast food, you know where to drive when you hear on the radio, “You deserve a break today, so get up and get away to...” Of course it's McDonalds! Music was the hook the brain latched on to, to implant that piece of knowledge in your brain.

Engage your child in conversation. Speaking a response gives a child the opportunity to practice the sounds and rhythm of speech, and to learn to follow and sustain a train of thought.

http://www.getreadytoread.org has some good ideas to help you out. Click on the link now!