2023 Early Literacy Calendar

Early Literacy Calendar

Keep books handy in the car, kitchen, stroller, and diaper bag! Always have a book ready for your child to enjoy.

As a parent or caregiver, you play the important role of being your child’s first teacher. You can promote literacy by teaching your child about reading and writing before they can actually read or write. One of the best gifts you can give your child is a daily dose of your attention, whether it’s a warm lap or shared reading time. This will improve your child’s memory, build self-esteem, and establish a love for learning. By fostering early literacy, you are setting the stage for your child to succeed academically and in life.

This calendar is full of ideas for developing reading skills that will last a lifetime. Visit any Omaha Public Library location or omahalibrary.org to find great resources to help your child discover and explore the world around them.

Children learn shapes before they learn letters. A triangle looks like an A or a V. A circle looks like a C or a Q. Learning shapes will help your child learn letters.

Start your children reading in infancy.

Apply for an Omaha Public Library card for your infant before their first birthday and receive a board book to keep!

Musical activities such as singing, dancing, and/or playing an instrument require children to listen attentively and hold patterns in their memory. This improves memory and attention.

Labeling your child’s art with words and descriptions builds their vocabulary and models writing skills. Connecting words with pictures is an important part of reading and writing.

To increase vocabulary, use lesscommon words to describe the world around you. For example, instead of “happy,” say “joyful.”

Providing props and toys for children to retell a story as they play is one way to help them understand the story. Ask a question or two that helps them build on the story. Follow your child’s lead.

Young children are active and energetic.

Encourage movement— even during reading time. Even when they are up and moving, they are still listening and learning.

Read factual (nonfiction)

books to your child to respond to their curiosity and help them learn more about the world around them.

Pretend play gives children the opportunity to use advanced vocabulary, create stories, and apply their knowledge. It’s even more effective if you join in!

Children learn language through playing, as the activities help them put thoughts into words.

Children

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Children

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Literacy Early Literacy Calendar

The Early Literacy Calendar is made possible with funding provided by the Omaha Public Library Foundation. Early Literacy 2023 is © Omaha Public Library. All rights reserved.

learn language through playing, as the activities help them put thoughts into words.