Emergent literacy is a term that is used to explain a child's knowledge of reading and writing skills before they learn how to read and write words.

Literacy begins at birth and builds on relationships and experiences that occur during infancy and early childhood.

The basic components of emergent literacy include:

·         Print motivation: Being interested in and enjoying books.

·         Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.

·         Print awareness: Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how to follow words on a page.

·         Narrative skills: Being able to describe things and events and to tell stories.

·         Letter knowledge: Understanding letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds, and recognizing letters everywhere.

·         Phonological awareness: Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.

These 6 specific emergent literacy skills MUST be in place BEFORE a child can learn to read.

Research has shown that phonological awareness and print awareness are the two most important areas linked to later reading success.

Keep posted for more information and how to help your child learn these skills.