Children prepare to read long before they enter school. Early literacy skills (listening, speaking, prereading and prewriting) develop during the first five years of life. They develop best when parents and caregivers work together to fill the child's environment with stimulating activities and conversations. A child's early experiences with books and language are a critical foundation for success in learning to read and write. The best way to encourage literacy development is to provide an environment that is very verbal and supportive. Children who feel valued have the courage to learn about their world. The focus should be on meaningful interactions with your child. Read aloud together every day. It is the single most important thing a loving parent can do to prepare their child for success in school and in life. You are the key to your child's success in learning to read and write. When you read to your child, you are aiding in the development of listening and speaking skills. When you go about your everyday tasks and explain them to your child as you do them, you are helping them make sense of the world and stimulating brain growth. Offer your child plenty of opportunities to talk and always listen to what they have to say. Read to your child and let them "read" to you. Join in their games. No memorization, flashcards, workbooks or drills are necessary with very young children. Use your time reading, talking and playing together. Enjoy your days with each other and help your child build skills that will last a lifetime. ECDC Programs Literacy Workshops (PDF file) ABC 123 All About Me (PDF file) Literacy Parties (PDF file) Napoleon Peacock's Adventure Club Recommended Children's Books We've put together a collection of our favorite books for reading aloud with children. Please visit your local library to find these selection and others to share with your child. Summer books: Let's Play by Satomi Ichikawa Doctor Rabbit's Lost Scout by Jan Wahl Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe by Vera Williams Giants Go Camping by Jane Yolen Swimmy by Leo Lionni A Fish Out of Waterr by Helen Palmer Birth to three-year-olds Alphabet books: Now I Eat My ABCs by Pam Abrams Rhyming books: Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarina Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Carol Lawson Jamberry by Bruce Degan Story books: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown In Grandma's Arms by Jayne C. Shelton Time for Bed by Mem Fox Folktales and Fairytales: The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright Nonfiction, information, and concept books: Babies by Susan Canizares and Pamela Chanko Eat by Roberta Grobal Intrater Feelings by Susan Canizares Three- to five-year-olds Alphabet books: Alphabet Adventure by Audrey Wood Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by ill Martin Jr. and John Archambault Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming Rhyming books: And the Cow Said Moo! By Mildred Phillips Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allen Ahlberg Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom Story books: Duck on a Bike by David Shannon The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins Folktales and Fairytales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears retold by James Marshall Nonfiction, information, and concept books: Waiting for Wings by Lois Elhert The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Five- to eight-year-olds Alphabet books: Tomorrow's Alphabet by George Shannon Alphabet Mystery by Audrey Wood Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel Rhyming books: Catalina Magdalena by Ted Arnold Do Your Ears Hang Low? By Caroline Jane Church Story books: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn The Napping House by Audrey Wood Corduroy by Don Freeman Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanee Titherington Folktales and Fairytales: Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble Nonfiction, information, and concept books: Milk to Ice Cream by Inez Snyder What's Under the Ocean by Melvin and Gilda Berger Recommended Websites Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Warrick County Public Libraries Every Child Ready to Read The National Center for Family Literacy National Institute for Literacy Chateau Meddybemps