May 28, 2026
As parents, we often wonder if we're doing enough to prepare our children for reading and writing. The good news? You're likely already doing more than you realize. Early literacy isn't about flashcards and formal lessons; it's about the rich, meaningful interactions that happen naturally when we engage with our children through a child-centered approach that honors their curiosity and developmental stage.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we've had the privilege of supporting over 1,200 families from more than 35 countries on their early childhood development journey since 1993. Through our experience with children from 6 months to 6 years, we've witnessed how play-based learning and nurturing relationships create confident, curious learners who are ready to embrace the world of words.
When we talk about early literacy, we're not talking about teaching babies to read or drilling alphabet sounds into toddlers. Early literacy encompasses all the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that children develop before they learn to read and write conventionally. Think of it as building a house—before you can put up walls and a roof, you need a strong foundation.
Research consistently shows that early literacy development begins at birth and is deeply connected to language exposure, social-emotional development, and meaningful interactions with caring adults. According to the National Early Literacy Panel, key foundational skills include:
In a bilingual education environment like ours, children have the remarkable opportunity to develop these skills in multiple languages simultaneously, which research shows actually strengthens cognitive flexibility and literacy development overall.
Children develop at different rates, and that's perfectly normal. What matters most is not checking off milestones on a specific timeline, but recognizing and celebrating the unique ways your child explores language and print. Here's what you might observe at different stages:
At this stage, babies are absorbing language like little sponges. You might notice your baby:
Language explodes during this period. Your toddler might:
Children become more active participants in reading. Watch for:
Print awareness grows significantly. Your child might:
Children are putting it all together. Look for:
Remember, these are general observations, not rigid expectations. Your child's path is unique, and in a multicultural environment, you may see literacy behaviors influenced by different cultural traditions around storytelling, print, and communication—all of which enrich your child's development.
The most powerful literacy learning happens through warm, responsive relationships and everyday interactions. Here are practical strategies you can start using today:
Conversation is the cornerstone of literacy development. Narrate your day, describe what you're doing, and engage your child in back-and-forth exchanges.
Try this: During meal preparation, describe what you're doing: "I'm washing the red tomatoes. They feel smooth and cool. Should we cut them into little pieces?" Ask open-ended questions and wait for your child to respond, even if that response is a babble or a gesture.
This rich oral language exposure builds vocabulary, comprehension skills, and the understanding that words have meaning and power.
Shared reading is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child. But forget about "reading it right"—focus on making it enjoyable and interactive.
Try this: Let your child hold the book, turn the pages, and point to pictures. Ask questions like "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think the bunny feels?" Accept that some days, "reading" might mean looking at two pages before your toddler wants to move on—that's perfectly fine.
In bilingual families, reading in both languages supports literacy development in each language. Don't worry about mixing languages; this is a natural and beneficial part of bilingual education.
Phonological awareness—the ability to hear and play with sounds in language—is a strong predictor of reading success. The good news? It develops naturally through playful activities.
Try this: Sing songs and nursery rhymes, make up silly rhymes ("Do you want to put on your coat-boat-float?"), clap out syllables in names, and play "I Spy" with beginning sounds ("I spy something that starts with /b/").
Children in our multicultural environment often become especially adept at hearing sounds because they're exposed to the phonological patterns of multiple languages.
When children see print everywhere and understand it carries meaning, they become motivated to decode it themselves.
Try this: Point out words in the environment—on food packages, street signs, and stores. Label items in your home with your child's help. Create a special spot where your child can access books independently. Let your child see you reading and writing for real purposes.
Early writing begins with scribbles and evolves through predictable stages. Every mark your child makes is a step toward conventional writing.
Try this: Provide various writing materials—crayons, markers, chalk, paint. Ask your child to "write" a grocery list with you or "sign" a card for grandma. Celebrate their marks and ask them to tell you about what they wrote. When they see their communication valued, they're motivated to keep developing these skills.
At Runningbrook, our child-centered approach recognizes that young children learn best through play. When we observe children in our programs—from Growing Steps to Pre-Kinder—we see literacy happening everywhere:
This play-based learning approach isn't just fun—it's how young brains are wired to learn. When children are engaged, curious, and enjoying themselves, they're creating strong neural connections that support all future learning, including reading and writing.
Our dedicated educators understand how to create environments rich with literacy opportunities while following children's lead and interests. Small group sizes allow for the meaningful conversations and individualized attention that fuel language and literacy development.
One of the most important things to remember is that children develop literacy skills at different rates, and this variation is completely normal. A child who shows early interest in letters isn't necessarily "smarter" than one who prefers building with blocks—they simply have different interests at that moment.
Cultural factors also play a role in how literacy develops. Some families have rich oral storytelling traditions; others emphasize print from early ages. Some languages have different relationships between sounds and symbols. In our multicultural environment, we celebrate this diversity and recognize that all these paths lead to literacy.
If you have concerns about your child's language or literacy development, trust your instincts as a parent and consult with educators or health professionals. Early intervention, when needed, is highly effective. But in most cases, children simply need time, exposure, and responsive relationships to flourish.
Here's the truth that sometimes gets lost in all the advice and research: you know your child better than anyone else. You are the expert on your own child—their interests, their temperament, their unique way of engaging with the world.
Building literacy foundations isn't about following a rigid curriculum or buying special programs. It's about the conversation you have while washing hands, the lullaby you sing at bedtime, the way you pause and wonder together at a beautiful flower. It's about being present, responsive, and curious alongside your child.
At Runningbrook, we see ourselves as partners with families in this incredible journey of early childhood development. Our role is to extend and enrich the foundation you're building at home, creating a seamless experience where children feel secure, valued, and excited to learn.
Every child arrives with their own gifts, their own timeline, and their own way of making sense of language and print. When we honor these differences while providing rich experiences and warm relationships, we give children exactly what they need to become confident, capable readers and writers—in their own time and in their own way.
So tonight, as you snuggle up with a book or chat about the day's adventures, know that you're doing important work. Those moments of connection are building the foundation for a lifetime of literacy, learning, and love of language. And that is something truly beautiful.