Helping young children build early reading skills through play

Early literacy- the skills children develop before they learn to read and write- is one of the most important predictors of long-term academic success. For young children, exposure to books, storytelling, songs, and conversations helps build strong language and development, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary growth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Children learn new words by interacting with others, and repeated exposures to words in various settings. Play supports language development by asking children to decipher meaning and listen and observe cues from others. Play allows children to practice the language skills they have learned and build on their expanding vocabulary. Interacting with adults and peers also enables children to refine their speech sounds through listening to others.”

Activities on this page focus on hands-on, play-based literacy activities that support early literacy and make learning feel natural and fun. whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these resources are designed to help your child become a confident, capable future reader.

What you’ll discover

-Pre K literacy activities that build phonics, comprehension, and print awareness

-Free printable literacy games and worksheets for home and classroom

-Tips for promoting early reading at home through play and routine

-Book recommendations for preschoolers that build early language skills