Birth-Age 4 Early Literacy
A noisy, messy space is evidence that young children like being there. And there’s another big plus to kids giggling and dragging toys, books, and games all over — they’re learning. Your learning spaces are the ideal place to engage and inspire the youngest minds and encourage literacy development.
Playtime Is Thinking Time for Children
Create a space for exploration that encourages early math and literacy development by engaging all their senses.
10 Tips for a Successful Early Literacy Space
- Play is a pathway to learning; provide a variety of experiences that encourage individual exploration as well as group play
- Engage all the senses in learning using interactive panels, learning walls, flannel boards and puppet theaters and stages
- Active minds and mobile bodies require open floor space for their explorations
- Scale all furnishings appropriately including your shelving and tables
- Include floor cushions and other low to the ground soft seating for storytime and programs
- Display picture books and board books in floor-level, face-out browsers
- Strategically place carpets for safety of children who are crawling and learning to walk
- Include engaging posters, artwork and other visually appealing items in the space
- Caregivers are always near-by, so be sure to include comfortable seating and a parent resource center within the space
- Make this space technology-friendly for adults and children
Ideas and Inspiration
Early Literacy Resources
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Find all the materials you need to encourage families to spend time together while promoting kindergarten readiness.