Early literacy is all about what children know about reading before they actually read, write or attend school. This includes everything from a baby teething on a board book, to a clever four-year-old who memorized the text in a simple book. The first five years are the prime time for children to learn language. Reading aloud and introducing children to lots of everyday sounds and sights and objects builds early literacy skills and stimulates brain development. All of these things together make a child ready to learn when he starts school.

raising readers is NOT about teaching young children to read. It IS about helping children to enjoy reading and language by exposing them to colorful, wonderful books. Below are some milestones in early literacy development: