Literacy begins long before a child picks up a pencil. The conversations you have at the dinner table, the songs you sing at bedtime, the stories you share — all of these are powerful literacy-building experiences.
Talk, Talk, Talk
The single most powerful literacy tool is conversation. Narrate your day, ask open-ended questions, and respond with interest to everything your child says. A rich vocabulary at age 3 is one of the strongest predictors of reading success at age 7.
Sing Rhymes and Songs
Nursery rhymes are not just fun — they build phonological awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds within words. This skill is directly linked to reading readiness. Clap syllables, spot rhyming words, and make up silly songs together.
Read Together Every Single Day
Even 10 minutes of shared reading per day makes a measurable difference. Let your child choose the book. Re-read favourites as many times as they want — repetition builds comprehension and vocabulary. Point to words as you read them.
Play with Letters
Magnetic letters on the fridge, foam letters in the bath, and letter stamps in playdough all make learning letter shapes tactile and fun. Start with the letters in your child's name — they are the most motivating!
Visit the Library
Libraries are magical places for young children. Most run free storytime sessions, and simply browsing shelves together communicates that books are valuable, enjoyable, and worth spending time with.
At Enfance, our early literacy curriculum weaves all of these approaches into every school day. We'd love to share more tips with you — ask your child's teacher at drop-off!
