The timeline of literacy development varies from child to child. From what science now knows about reading, however, there are some general milestones that most children follow as they gradually learn to read. For example, children typically begin to identify words that rhyme and recognize some familiar words by the age of 5. In first […]
Did you know that the foundation for learning to read is understanding speech sounds? While letters and words are seen with our eyes, when learning to read the brain facilitates a process that correlates with spoken language. This is why it’s so important for children to sound things out when they’re learning to read. In […]
Learning to recognize alphabetical letters is the first explicit phonics instruction that children receive. It’s essential to early phonics and ultimately learning to read! However, some children experience letter recognition difficulties that can hinder their progress in reading and writing. There are some obvious signs that your child might be struggling with letter recognition. But […]
When a child is learning to read, every new little milestone they achieve is important. But there’s one crucial milestone that sets the foundational skill of literacy, standing out as a key predictor of future reading success. This skill is letter recognition. This seemingly simple ability to identify and name letters is, in fact, a […]
While reading is a fundamental literacy skill that opens doors to imagination and success, it’s not the easiest skill to master—especially for young children. Many kids experience challenges in their reading journey that include bouts of frustration, confusion, and self-doubt. A healthy dose of this is normal. However, when you start to see signs of […]
Alphabetical letter recognition is an early concrete literacy skill children must be taught when learning to read. Letter recognition is the foundation for reading and writing. Since every child learns the alphabet at their own pace, what are the best ways to help them master this early literacy ability? To ensure letter recognition “sticks,” your […]
Part of fostering your child’s reading development is exposing them to literacy-rich environments. Whether in the classroom or in everyday life, literacy experiences give your child the tools they need to develop a strong foundation in reading. Reading is not a natural skill—it must be explicitly taught and developed over time. Therefore, when you encourage […]
Visual aids have been used in literacy education for as long as humans have been reading. From the bright and cheery illustrations in children’s books to the detailed graphs in research papers, visual aids explain concepts and stories to aid our understanding of the written word. During your child’s early literacy education, there’s a time […]
Wide-eyed and curious, your child is beginning the first phase of reading instruction. Early reading skills set the foundation for literacy development and lifelong learning, which is why this phase of development is so fascinating and crucial for kids. But with so many learning apps, online lessons, and educational programs available today, how can you […]
A child’s reading development happens at multiple levels: individual, familial, social, emotional, cognitive, and environmental, to name a few. All these aspects of reading can (and should!) involve positive experiences. When facilitated well, literacy education helps your child grow into a strong, curious reader who loves to learn. One way to initiate this early development […]