Early Literacy

Early Literacy Banner

What is Early Literacy?

Early literacy refers to everything that children know about reading and writing before they are formally taught how to read and write. These skills begin at birth and grow through everyday interactions with books, language, and the world around them.

Why is Early Literacy important?

Early literacy lays the foundation for future success in reading, writing, and learning. Reading, talking, and singing to children stimulates brain development. Early exposure to books prepares children for school and life. Reading together is a bonding experience that improves communication and social skills.

Five Early Literacy Practices

These five simple activities can be done with your child throughout the day. You may already be practicing them, but did you know they help your child get ready to read?

  • Sing: Singing slows down language, breaks down the sounds and syllables in words, and helps practice rhythm and rhyme.
  • Talk: Learning language begins with listening to others. Talking with children helps them learn what new words mean by hearing them in context.
  • Read: Reading together helps children understand that printed words have meanings and associates reading with positive feelings. Research shows that reading just 15 minutes each day makes an impact.
  • Write: Scribbling is an important step to developing writing skills, and makes children aware of a connection between ideas and visual symbolic representation of ideas.
  • Play: Play is a crucial part of learning. In addition to social emotional skills, play contributes to early literacy by teaching self-expression, symbolic thinking, and narrative skills.

Lapsit and Storytime 

The Library offers free Lapsit and Storytime programs, designed to teach Early Literacy skills for different age groups. Typically, caregivers and children attend together for a fun and educational shared experience. Lapsit is for babies who are not yet walking and includes songs, rhymes, and other activities while the baby is seated in the caregiver’s lap. Storytime is for toddlers and up and includes stories, active movement, and social play.

Events

Check our calendar for more events focused on Early Literacy! These include musical programs, arts & crafts, play time, and special events.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten 

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide early literacy challenge in the United States and Canada. Record each book you read with your child and reward them for completing milestones. Ask about 1000 Books Before Kindergarten at your local Library branch!

Literacy Plan

In 2025 our librarians met with community members to discuss the public library’s role in literacy. The result is the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Literacy Plan (PDF).