Websites
Zero to Three’s Brain Wonders
In question and answer format, presents recent research on brain development and early literacy of children newborn to age three. Separates information for parents, child care providers, and health clinicians.
A Child Becomes a Reader: Birth Through Preschool - PDF (304K)
Summarizes skills important in becoming a reader (for newborn to age 6) and then has a section of activities by ages. Includes bibliography and brief explanation of No Child Left Behind Act. Put out by The Partnership for Reading, administered by the National Institute for Literacy in cooperation with National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, and US Department of Education and US Department of Health and Human Services.
Ready At Five
Tip sheets and activity calendar for parents to support early literacy
How Children Learn
Concise summary of how children from birth to age five acquire spoken language. Goes through the stages of speech development. Examples of children’s speech at each age level and "when to call for help". Sponsored by Preschool Speech and Language Services of Ontario’s Wellington and Dufferin Counties.
Child Development
Good summary of brain development and cognitive development in infants and toddlers. Select child development link. From Early Head Start Resource Center.
Ready*Set*Read Activities
Explains what behaviors to expect from children (birth to age five), how they learn, what children learn about language, and activities to enjoy with children at each age-level: birth to 8 months old, 8 to 18 months old, 18 to 36 months old, and three to five year olds.
Early Words
Succinct explanations of the importance of early brain development and early literacy. Includes parent tips. Multnomah County (OR) Public Library.
Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler
Ways for parent to build a child’s early literacy skills. Good section on choosing good books, reading aloud, and language-rich homes. From Reading Is Fundamental.
Colorín Colorado: Helping Kids Learn to Read . . . and Succeed!
Information, activities, and advice for Spanish-speaking parents. Concentrates on school-age children, but some information for young children as well. It’s bilingual.
Babies Are Born Learning
Tri-fold in English or Spanish to help parents understand ways to help their children birth to five years through play, reading, talking, listening and showing respect for their children
Grow Up Reading @ The West Bloomfield Township Public Library
Includes the early literacy skills from the Every Child Ready to Read Project as part of their parent information on reading with young children.
Parent's Guide to Reading with Your Child
Includes importance of bonding as part of reading together, suggestions for reading routines for infants and toddlers, and 3 to 5 year olds, on choosing books. Brain Waves, how the activities surrounding reading a book affect brain learning/development. Literacy Activity Calendar for parents showing skills being enhanced by each activity. Sponsored by National Center for Family Literacy.
Parents Page
Parent Page Handouts on a variety of topics including choosing books for young children and reading with your child. In English and Spanish. Sponsored by Parents As Teachers, an early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until age five. Program designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education.
“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”
-Victor Hugo
