The Foundations of Literacy Begin Early
The early years are filled with stories, songs, conversations, and shared moments that shape a child’s lifelong relationship with literacy. Research consistently shows this is a crucial time for building the foundations of language, communication, reading, and writing. These early experiences support far more than future academic success, they also nurture confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
At the heart of literacy development is oral language. When children talk, listen, ask questions, and engage in rich, meaningful conversations, they are building vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and thinking skills. Oral language underpins all areas of learning including literacy, numeracy, social understanding, and problem-solving. In many ways, it is the foundation of reading and writing, as children first learn to express ideas through spoken language before they can read and record them. Simply put, children write what they can say.
In the early years, literacy also develops through drawing, mark making, storytelling, songs, and the many ways children communicate their ideas and understanding of the world.
Literacy Through Play and Storytelling
In our ELCs, we intentionally create language-rich environments where storytelling, imaginative and dramatic play, songs, rhymes, and everyday conversations are woven naturally throughout the day. It is always a joy to step into a classroom and hear children deeply engaged in conversation, negotiating roles in play, or excitedly retelling a story with such expression and confidence. These moments reflect the power of intentional teaching and the richness of language in action.
Play is central to this learning. Whether children are acting out roles as shopkeepers, doctors, firefighters, or café workers, they are constantly using and extending language, negotiating ideas, problem-solving, imagining, and telling shared stories together. Storytelling experiences, including shared books, Bible stories, small world play, and the use of props, further enrich children’s language development, inviting them to retell familiar stories, create new narratives, explore characters, and express their ideas with increasing confidence and creativity.
The Power of Shared Reading
Reading together is one of the most powerful ways families can support literacy at home. Just 10–15 minutes a day builds vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and a lifelong love of books. There is something special about the shared moment of a story, pausing to wonder, asking questions, and seeing a child’s understanding grow as the story unfolds.
Most importantly, these early experiences help nurture a lifelong love of language, learning, and stories, gifts that children will carry with them well beyond their early years.
I still remember sitting for hours as a child listening to Storytime tapes, completely immersed in the stories. I also remember the excitement of saving up enough money to visit the bookshop and choose a new book to take home. Growing up, my mum almost always had her Bible or a book (and often several books!) open nearby, and seeing her genuine love of reading left a lasting impression on me. Those everyday moments, listening to stories, watching someone delight in books, and being surrounded by reading, sparked a deep love of books and literacy that has stayed with me throughout my life.
Growing a Lifelong Love of Literacy
The gift of literacy begins long before a child can read independently. It grows through conversations, stories, play, relationships, and shared experiences that help children feel connected, capable, and inspired to learn.
Nurturing a Love of Literacy at Home
- Enjoy meaningful conversations throughout the day and encourage children to share their ideas and wonderings
- Read together daily and take time to talk about stories, pictures, characters, and favourite parts
- Support imaginative play through experiences such as home corner, cafés, shops, doctors, or storytelling with props
- Sing songs, recite rhymes, share Bible stories, and enjoy playful language together
- Ask open-ended questions that encourage children to think, predict, and problem-solve
- Encourage drawing, mark making, storytelling, and creating books or signs
- Visit your local library regularly and allow children to choose books that interest them
- Celebrate and model a love of reading at home, including participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.
Claire Robins
Director of ELC
Maranatha Christian School
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