Early Literacy
Early Learning & Development Guidelines
The Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines were written for families to get information about their child's development. I like families to have their own copy of this document because there is space for you to write notes about your own child's actions and behaviors, along with a lot of ideas for activities you can use to nurture and encourage specific skills.
The Reading Rockets website has a lot of information to help support and nurture your young child in reading. I particularly like the link to their practical ideas for practicing letter names and sounds at home.
Letter Names & Sounds
Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness is a crucial skill in learning to read but many adults who are not professional educators may be confused by the term. The truth is you actually know a lot more about it than you think. Understanding the sounds letters and words make is the basis for phonemic awareness. Practicing rhymes and songs are just two very easy ways to work on phonemic awareness at home.