Utah State Library Youth Services

The American Library Association will be releasing updated about Every Child Ready to Read in January and I thought it would be great to review Early Literacy skills before the new information is released.

There are six main Early Literacy skills that librarians can help parents develop to ensure a child’s success in reading: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Print Awareness, Narrative Skills, Letter Knowledge, Phonological Awareness. Today, more about…

Print Motivation: Being interested in and enjoying books.  If reading is a fun and positive experience, then the child will want to read.

• Model reading a book for parents – read using a cheerful, clear voice, make it something parents can do.
• Demonstrate your love of books by modeling enthusiastic appreciation for the stories you read.
• Let parents know that it is important for reading to be a positive experience, but each individual experience doesn’t have to be long.  If a child is tired of reading a book, don’t force him to continue.  Finish the book another time, when it can be more pleasant.

Thanks to Jennifer Fay from Salt Lake County and Utah Kids Ready to Read for providing me with Early Literacy tips.