Early Literacy Skills: Building a Love of Reading and Writing from the Start
Starting school is an exciting adventure and being familiar with books, stories, letters, and sounds can make the transition even smoother. Early literacy skills are the building blocks that help children learn to read and write. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean sitting your child down with a dictionary or a pile of worksheets. One of the best ways to support literacy is through playful, everyday experiences.
By chatting, singing, reading, and exploring letters in fun ways, you’re helping your child develop the confidence and curiosity they’ll need to start school ready to learn.
What Are Early Literacy Skills?
Early literacy skills are the foundations for reading and writing, developed long before children read their first book or write their name. These include:
- Enjoying and understanding stories
- Recognising rhymes, rhythms, and sounds in words
- Knowing that print has meaning
- Handling books properly (turning pages, reading left to right)
- Drawing and scribbling (early mark-making)
- Recognising letters, especially from their name
These skills develop naturally through play and interaction. A child who enjoys storytime, scribbles happily, and talks about what they see is already building early literacy.
Why It Matters for School Readiness
Children with strong early literacy skills tend to settle into school more easily. These skills help them:
- Understand and follow instructions
- Join in with songs and storytime
- Communicate clearly with others
- Build confidence in learning activities
- Develop curiosity about letters, words, and books
Early literacy supports emotional development too. Books help children explore feelings, solve problems, and connect with others through shared stories.
Everyday Ways to Build Literacy and How Toys Can Help
There are lots of playful, everyday ways to support early reading and writing. Here are some fun ideas to try at home and toys that can add to the experience:
1. Read Together Every Day
Reading aloud is one of the most powerful ways to build early literacy. It helps children develop vocabulary, understand how stories work, and enjoy quiet time together.
Toy Tip: Choose books like Freddy the Frog with flaps, textures, or sound buttons to make reading interactive. Children’s magazines are also a great tool; packed with stories, games, and often including small toys, they offer varied activities that help engage young readers and build early reading skills in a fun, hands-on way.
2. Talk About What You Read
Ask questions like:
- “What do you think will happen next?”
- “Why do you think the rabbit is hiding?”
Encouraging children to predict, explain, and talk about stories boosts comprehension and confidence.
Toy Tip: Toys like Red Riding Hood and Gingerbread Man hand and finger puppets sets are great resources for children to retell familiar stories or invent their own versions.
3. Join the Fun with Classes and Clubs
As well as playing at home, structured sessions with professional providers can build children’s confidence with early literacy.
Activity Tip: Reading Fairy sessions support early literacy step by step, from listening and sound awareness to phonics, word recognition, and storytelling. Through a mix of music, movement, and play, children build the key foundations for reading in a fun, structured environment.
MagiKats Tutoring is another great option; children can boost their language and communication skills through imaginative stories, playful phonics, and hands-on literacy games – all guided by supportive tutors and personalised to their needs.
4. Encourage Mark-Making
Before writing, children need to explore drawing and scribbling. These early marks are the first steps toward writing letters.
Toy Tip: Offer paints, chunky crayons, and toys like MegaSketcher Classic to encourage mark-making. And when children are approaching school age, writing workbooks like Paw Patrol Learn To Write Pack are a great way to help children begin to write letters and words.
5. Sing Songs and Rhymes
Rhymes help children hear the sounds in words, which is essential for later reading.
Toy Tip: Audio players like the Yoto Player or Tonie Box, as well as musical instruments, encourage singing and storytelling, helping children develop key skills that support both language and reading at school.
6. Play with Letters in Everyday Life
Point out letters on signs, packaging, or clothing. Say things like: “That says milk – it starts with M, just like your name!”
Toy Tip: Toys that match sounds to pictures, like Alphablocks Matchums, and apps like Khan Academy Kids, help develop early literacy skills.
7. Tell and Act Out Stories
Pretend play and storytelling help children understand how stories are structured and give them space to practice language.
Toy Tip: Role-play sets like Pretendables encourage creativity and narrative thinking.
What If My Child Isn’t Interested in Letters or Books?
It’s completely normal for children to develop at their own pace. Signs your child is developing early literacy might include:
- Enjoying looking at books or being read to
- Recognising their name or some familiar letters
- Retelling favourite stories or joining in with rhymes
- Making marks and pretending to write
- Playing with language – e.g. rhymes, silly words, or guessing games
If your child doesn’t seem interested in stories, struggles with language, or finds it hard to focus, speak to your health visitor, nursery, or teacher. Early support makes a big difference – and play-based learning can still be the best approach.
Final Thoughts for Parents
By reading, playing, and talking every day, you’re helping your child build skills that will support them not only at school, but for life. So cuddle up with a book, get out the crayons, and enjoy the magical process of learning through play.
Because when children love language, stories, and expressing themselves, they’re already well on the way to becoming confident, happy learners.
