Building a Love of Reading From the Very Beginning
September is National Early Literacy Month, a time to celebrate the important role that reading, talking, singing, and storytelling play in a child’s development. Early literacy skills begin long before children learn to read on their own. Every book shared, song sung, and conversation held helps lay the foundation for future learning and success.
Why Is Early Literacy Important?
The first few years of a child’s life are critical for brain development. During this time, children are learning language, building vocabulary, and developing communication skills that will help them succeed in school and beyond.
Children who are exposed to books and language early in life are more likely to:
- Develop strong language and communication skills
- Build larger vocabularies
- Strengthen listening and comprehension skills
- Be prepared for kindergarten and future learning
- Develop creativity and imagination
- Foster a lifelong love of reading
Why Read to Young Children?
Reading aloud to children is one of the most powerful ways families can support healthy development. Even babies benefit from hearing a parent’s voice and looking at pictures in books.
When you read with a child, you:
- Help them learn new words and concepts
- Strengthen memory and attention skills
- Encourage curiosity and a love of learning
- Build social and emotional connections
- Create meaningful family bonding time
Reading together also helps children understand how stories work, introduces them to different experiences and cultures, and teaches important life skills such as empathy and problem-solving.
Simple Ways to Support Early Literacy
You don’t need special materials or long lessons to help a child develop literacy skills. Try these easy activities every day:
- Read books together for just 10–15 minutes each day.
- Talk about what you see during everyday activities.
- Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes.
- Encourage children to ask questions and tell stories.
- Visit your local library and explore new books.
- Let children choose books that interest them.
Every Moment Counts
Early literacy can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you’re reading a favorite bedtime story, talking during a walk, or singing in the car, you are helping build important skills that will support your child’s future success.
This September, join us in celebrating National Early Literacy Month by making time each day to read, talk, sing, and learn together. The gift of literacy can last a lifetime.
Check out these resources!
- PA’s Promise for Children Book Recommendations
- PA One Book Program
- Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Best Books for Family Literacy (The Pennsylvania Center for the Book)
- Find a library in your community
- Reach Out and Read
- Early Literacy Development (Reading Rockets)
- Articles for Families on Literacy (NAEYC)
- Reading Activities for Families (RIF)
- Parenting & Literacy Tools (The Literacy Cooperative)
- Visit a Little Free Library to Take a Book, Share a Book
- Explore everyday activities to build your child’s early literacy skills
- The importance of storytelling (article)
- Hosting a Read-Aloud at Your Program or Event
Resources for Professionals
- Word Wonders: A Free Early Language and Literacy Curriculum (ZERO TO THREE)
- Early Literacy Toolkit (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Supporting Early Literacy Through Innovative Partnerships & Resources (Child Care Aware)
- Talk, Read and Sing Together Every Day! Tips For Preschool Teachers & Other Early Childhood Education Program Providers (US Department of Education) (printable PDF)
- Strengthening Early Literacy Practices with Evidence-Based Resources (Institute of Education Sciences) (article)
- Language and Literacy (Head Start)
Become an Early Literacy Champion
Strong local partnerships can turn National Early Literacy Month from a campaign into a community-wide movement. Partners across Pennsylvania communities can become literacy champions, each with a specific role and simple actions to implement. Check out the suggestions below to become a literacy champion!
- Send home daily literacy activities
- Host family literacy nights
- Conduct classroom read-aloud celebrations
- Share PA’s Promise resources with families
- Organize book exchanges
Early Literacy Passport
- Families earn stamps for:
- Attending storytime
- Checking out books
- Participating in library programs
- Host PA One Book storytimes
- Create Early Literacy Month book displays
- Organize family reading challenges
- Host StoryWalk® events in local parks
- Share weekly literacy tips and resources
- Library Card Drive. Promote library card sign-ups during September.
- Promote kindergarten readiness resources
- Invite preschool families to literacy events
- Share reading resources through newsletters
- Partner with local preschools and libraries
- Support family literacy workshops
- Host Books in the Park events (Partner with local libraries for themed books!)
- Create literacy-themed nature scavenger hunts
- Install temporary StoryWalks
- Coordinate “Read Under the Trees” storytimes
- Incorporate literacy prompts into nature programs
- “Read Under the Trees” Monthly literacy events hosted by park educators.
- Share PA’s Promise for Children materials
- Host literacy-themed family events
- Provide books to families in need
- Promote local library services
- Connect families to Early Intervention and kindergarten readiness resources
- Reach Out and Read Promotion
- Make books available in waiting rooms
- Share literacy tip sheets
- Provide reading milestone information
- Share reading tips during well-child visits
- Display literacy posters
- Promote local literacy events
- Share developmental milestone resources
- Share the Message: “Read 15 minutes a day to support healthy brain development.”
- Feature book-themed exhibits
- Host storytimes
- Create literacy scavenger hunts
- Connect books to hands-on learning experiences
- Highlight vocabulary related to exhibits
- Create literacy stations tied to exhibits. Example:
- Zoo: animal stories
- Museum: storytelling history
- Community centers: family reading corners
- Local businesses can create children’s reading areas and share literacy messages.
- Sponsor book giveaways
- Display literacy messaging
- Support employee family literacy challenges
- Provide incentives for reading challenge participants
- Book Donation Drives. Collect books for:
- Libraries
- Child care centers
- Family support programs
- Recruit student volunteers as readers
- Host children’s author events
- Support book drives
- Facilitate family literacy workshops
- Provide service-learning opportunities
Communities can:
- Issue local Early Literacy Month proclamations.
- Recognize literacy champions.
- Highlight librarians, educators, family child care providers, and volunteers.
- Illuminate municipal buildings in literacy-themed colors.
- Present “Community Literacy Partner” awards.
- Feature weekly literacy tips
- Highlight community events
- Showcase literacy champions
- Interview librarians and educators
- Promote reading challenges
- Read at community events
- Issue Early Literacy Month proclamations
- Share literacy messages on social media
- Visit libraries and early learning programs
- Recognize literacy champions
- Host book drives
- Offer family reading events
- Create little free libraries
- Share literacy resources with families
- Support multilingual literacy efforts
- Issue proclamations
- Promote events through municipal channels
- Coordinate partner participation
- Host community literacy celebrations
- Recognize participating organizations
Sample Partner Commitment Levels
Bronze Partner
- Share social media posts
- Display literacy materials
Silver Partner
- Host one literacy activity
- Promote local events
Gold Partner
- Host multiple activities
- Participate in reading challenges
- Provide volunteers or resources
Literacy Champion Partner
- Serve as a lead organizer
- Coordinate community-wide efforts
- Recruit additional partners
This tiered approach makes participation achievable for organizations of all sizes while creating opportunities for local, countywide, regional, and statewide engagement.