Early Literacy Activities for Families

How to Help Your Child At Home

E3 Blogs

Early Reading for Fun with Young Children

Did you know? There is new research that confirms early reading for fun with young children is linked to many positive outcomes.
Young students playing with blocks and other thought provoking toys.

Brain-Building: Talking, Interacting, Reading Aloud + Storytelling

What to Do with Babies Talk. Talk. Talk. They need to hear words to help their brains develop. Repeat the sounds they make back to them. Talk about what you are doing as you unload the groceries, cook dinner or go through town. Use books to provide back and forth interactions. Read aloud using a […]

Why Reading Aloud + Storytelling Matters for All Ages

Reading aloud and listening to a story benefits all children at every age. Listening to a story will: •Ignite a ❤️ of reading. •Boost language development in young children. •Build vocabulary and comprehension. •Spark creativity + the imagination. •Develop problem-solving + critical-thinking skills. Research says that reading to a young child will boost their language […]

How Does A Child Become A Reader?

Families can help children build a strong foundation of language skills by turning everyday moments into learning.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Here are a few tips to make learning + reading fun for your family.
Young children playing with number blocks

Toddler Brain Boosters

These activities will help to boost your child’s language development, creativity and build early skills in math and reading.

Brain-Building Tips

Young child playing with a puzzle

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children

Harvard Center on the Developing Child

An invaluable resource for parents looking for fun activities to do with children of all ages.
A mother reading to her infant daughter

Barbara Bush’s Family Reading Tips

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Here's a collection of nine ways to get your little ones reading more!
A young toddler reading a book on a play mat

Resources for Families

UVA & Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP)

A compiled list of fun activities to do with your kids, categorized by topic of learning interest.
A preschooler picking a book out at the library

Need a book to read?

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

If you could use some inspiration, check out our list of book suggestions for different age groups. Happy reading!

Brain-Building Activities

  • Snuggle up and read aloud.
  • Talk. Talk. Talk. Babies need to hear words to help their brains develop.
  • Repeat the sounds they make back to them.
  • Make animal sounds and connect back to the animal.
  • Sing songs.
  • Talk about what you are doing as you unload the groceries, cook dinner or go through town.
  • Use books to provide back and forth interactions.
  • Read aloud using a sing-song voice to grab their attention.
  • Help them hold the book, listen to the story, turn pages and chew on the corners (that is ok)!
Books organized in bins in a classroom.