Running Head: LITERACY AT HOME

Literacy at Home
Kelly Hauke
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana

LITERACY AT HOME

Literacy by definition is, the ability to read and write ("Definition of Literacy," 2015).
However, for a young child, it is much, much more. It is the ability to understand and
communicate needs and wants, the ability to put to voice the thoughts in their heads. The
following are some key points, for us, as adults, to promote literacy at home.
Babies love the sound of a familiar adult. It calms them when they are upset, and while they
cannot respond with words, they respond with smiles and coos. Its never too early to start a
reading routine. Although a newborn may not respond in noticeable ways, every sound, sight,
and sensation is being catalogued for future use (Early Moments, 2014). This makes me think
of a scene from Three Men and a Baby. Tom Selleck is reading, about a fight, to an infant. At
one point he is questioned about his choice of topics. He says, Its not what you read, but how
you read it, that is important.
As a child gets older, toddler age, his or her needs change and the promotion of literacy based
components should be increased. Please remember, Early literacy does not mean teaching
reading to infants and toddlers. For very young children, learning to read is not a
developmentally appropriate goal (ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers
and Families, 2014, p.1, para. 4). Reading, writing and language evolve from a number of
earlier, age-appropriate skills, such as: physically manipulating or handling books, looking at and
recognizing books, comprehending pictures and a story; and interacting with books verbally,
e.g., babbling in imitation of reading (Schickedanz, 1999 in Brain Wonders) (ZERO TO
THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, 2014, p.1, para. 5). In addition to
the continued encouragement of books, talk with the child, ask the child questions, and invite the
child to draw or scribble.

LITERACY AT HOME
When being an active role in a preschoolers emerging literacy, along with all of the above
things, now is the time to add some additional things into the mix. Have your preschooler tell
you about their day and you tell them about yours. Have your preschooler help when making
grocery lists, write thank you notes etcetera. Have your child read you a story or describe
pictures in magazines or books. Allow your preschooler the freedom of dramatic play and let
them use their imaginations.
In conclusion, it is up to us as parents, caregivers and teachers to promote a literacy rich
environment for our children. The best things anyone can do for a child, of any age, is to talk,
listen and encourage.

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References

Definition of literacy. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/literacy

Early Moments (Ed.). (2014). Reading to your newborn. Retrieved from
https://www.earlymoments.com/Promoting-Literacy-and-a-Love-of-Reading/Birth-to-1year-old-Child-Development-Tips/
ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families (Ed.). (2014). Tips on
encouraging literacy in your infant-toddler program. Retrieved from
http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_key_language_literacytips