Early Literacy Resources

What does it take to build a strong reader? This is a process that begins during the earliest days, weeks, and months of a child’s life through rich, stimulating back-and-forth interactions with their caregivers. Parents responding to their baby’s babbles, coos, and gestures is an early form of communication that serves a critical purpose. And when parents share books, conversations and songs with their children, they are helping to build a foundation for them to become strong readers and writers when they enter school.

Parents can help children building early literacy skills right from the start! Check out our new resources for fun tips and ideas to make everyday moments opportunities to nurture growing readers and writers.

Featured Resources

Talk, Read, and Sing Together Every Day!

From bath time to meal time, check out our tips for incorporating talking, reading, and singing into your everyday routine.

Talking is Teaching Sesame Street Family Guide

A fun resource guide with lots of talking, reading, and singing tips to choose from, as well as developmental milestones for literacy.

Q&A with Dr. Amy Emerson: Building Early Language Skills

A conversation with an expert on specific ways parents and caregivers can support early literacy and nurture young readers.

Talking is Teaching Video: Read

Jennifer Garner, Amanda Peet, and Lena Headey share how reading with young children has a lifelong impact on healthy development.

Resource Directory

DJ's Busy Day


Let's Talk About the Earth!


Let's Talk, Read, and Sing About Books!


Let’s Talk about Art!


Video: How To Write A Lullaby


How to Create Your Own Lullaby


Sing With Your Baby


Video: Build Your Baby's Self-Confidence


Video: Talk During Bathtime


Video: Talk as You Explore


Video: Learn Through the Senses


Video: Talk About Healthy Foods


Video: Talk and Move Together


Video: Play Fun Games with Your Baby


Video: Make Everyday Moments Talking Moments


Video: Sing Your Favorite Songs Together


Video: Have Fun with Sounds and Language


Dual Language Learners: Five Tips for Parents


Tips for Talking with Multiple Children


Playtime Activities Tip Sheet


Tips for Families with Infants and Toddlers


Tips for Grandparents


Hablen, lean y canten juntos todos los días!


Tips for Using Language at Home and in the Community


Track Your Child's Developmental Milestones


Talking is Teaching Storybook


Talking is Teaching Video: Read


Q&A with Dr. Amy Emerson: Building Early Language Skills


Talking is Teaching Sesame Street Family Guide


Turn 'Wash Time' Into 'Talk Time'

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