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Grow Your Reader
 
Reading together is one of the most important things you can do to develop early literacy skills.
  • Babies enjoy books with bright pictures, primary colors, and pictures of other babies. (0-2 years)
  • Use expression in your voice when reading to keep your child excited about the story. (3-5 years)
 Understanding writing means knowing that written words express ideas and events. 
  • Use sand, playdough, or food for your child to make lines and shapes in different textures. (0-2 years)
  • Magnetic letters and letter blocks are a fun way to spell words with your child. (3-5 years)
Conversations teach a child new words and how to express ideas.
  • Encourage your baby to imitate sounds. This is the beginning of their communication skills. (0-2 years)
  • Talk about things seen through out the day connecting them back to the books you have read. (3-5 years)
 Singing breaks down words into distinct sounds and syllables. 
  • Clap the syllables of your toddler's name and other words. (0-2 years)
  • Clap and dance with music to build motor skills. Clapping also helps to hear syllables. (3-5 years)
 
Playing allows children the opportunity to express themselves and their ideas. 
  • Play pretend! Be a puppy, an airplane, anything! (0-2 years)
  • Retell stories using puppets or other toys. (3-5 years)
 
   
 
My Wiggles (Match actions to words)
I wiggle my fingers,
I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my shoulders.
I wiggle my nose.
Now all my wiggles 
are out of me,
And I’m just as 
still as I can be.
   
 
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