Learning to Read Begins at Birth!

Posted on November 18, 2020

by Cristin B

Many families are looking for the best ways to get their little one ready to read. With so many resources available, it may seem overwhelming. However, there are five simple things you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help your child be ready to read, and no flashcards are required! By talking, singing, reading, writing and playing with your child every day, you are helping them to become great readers! Our Ready to Read team is excited to share some tips and tricks on how to help your children birth to preschool prepare for their future reading success. Each month, we will highlight one of these early literacy practices by sharing why they are important for early development while offering a few ideas that you can try at home.

Based on Every Child Ready to Read, 2nd edition and with the generous support of the Library Legacy Foundation, the Ready to Read team offers a free 30-minute training on these 5 practices along with tools to enhance early literacy at home. Parents/caregivers who complete this one-time training may receive a free early literacy kit to use at home. For more information, or to request a Ready to Read virtual or telephone training, please email readytoread@toledolibrary.org.

Looking for some quick resources? Check out these articles to learn more about the importance of reading from birth:

Read Early and Often

Reading Books to Babies

Never Too Young: Pediatricians Say Parents Should Read to Infants

Here are a few of our favorite board books to read with your baby today:

Cover of Barnyard Dance! Cover of Barnyard Dance!

Barnyard Dance!

Cover of Lola Loves Stories with Daddy Cover of Lola Loves Stories with Daddy

Lola Loves Stories with Daddy

Cover of One, Two, Three, Mother Goose Cover of One, Two, Three, Mother Goose

One, Two, Three, Mother Goose

Cover of A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book Cover of A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book

A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book

Cover of Baby's First 123 Cover of Baby's First 123

Baby's First 123

Cover of Baby See, Baby Do Cover of Baby See, Baby Do

Baby See, Baby Do

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