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Young children are like sponges. Every day they learn skills that will help them become readers. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, for example, become aware of books and print and learn about sounds and letters. Preschool educators play a critical role in promoting literacy, preventing reading difficulties, and preparing young children for kindergarten.
The following research-based information was collected especially for preschool teachers, Head Start teachers, teacher aides, and other staff, as well as for parents. The information reflects what we know about instructional and parenting practices that build a foundation for literacy in the formative years between infancy and five years of age.
PBS television programs
Launching Young Readers 
Reading Rockets produces Launching Young Readers, an award-winning PBS series for parents, educators, and caregivers.
PBS Programming for Preschoolers
PBS broadcasts a number of children's programs that support early literacy development: Between the Lions, Sesame Street, Super WHY, Word World, and Martha Speaks. Teachers, parents and care givers can find program-related lesson plans, read-along stories, games, and other activities at the PBS Kids Raising Readers website.
For teachers and childcare providers
Reading Roundtable (professional development webcasts)
A panel of early childhood experts discusses research-based strategies for developing language and pre-reading skills in young children.
A roundtable of experts discusses the importance of getting parents involved in their child's school and academic development.
Early literacy development
- Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development
- Early Literacy: Policy and Practice in the Preschool Years
- Developmental Milestones
- Repeated Interactive Read-Alouds in Preschool and Kindergarten
- More on early literacy
Phonemic awareness
Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds in words. We know that a student's skill in phonemic awareness is a good predictor of later reading success or difficulty.
- Phonemic Awareness: Watch & Learn Video
- Speech Sounds: Watch & Learn Video
- Phonemic Activities for the Preschool or Elementary Classroom
- More on phonemic awareness
Preschool and childcare
For parents
Oral language development
- Becoming Aware of Print: Watch & Learn Video
- Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development
- Oral Language: Expanding Your Child's Vocabulary
Parent reading tips
- For Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers (in English and 10 other languages)
- Grocery Store Literacy
- Make Reading Part of Your Preschooler's Everyday Life
- The Role of Fathers in Their Child's Literacy Development
- Reading Together
- Reading Aloud
Preschool and childcare
Intervention and advocacy
Additional information
- Linking the Language: A Cross-Disciplinary Vocabulary Approach >
- Get Ready to Read: Screening Tool >
- Effective Reading Interventions for Kids With Learning Disabilities >
- Listen and Look at Back-to-School Night >
- One, Two, Buckle My Shoe: Math and Literacy for Preschoolers >
- Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together: How Systematic Vocabulary Instruction and Expanded Learning Time Can Address the Literacy Gap >
- Use a PEER When You Read Aloud >
- Free monthly newsletter >
- Free Ed Extras parent tips >
(English, en español) - Daily reading news >
- Reading blogs >
High-Quality Preschool
Programs
In this segment from Toddling Toward Reading, part of our PBS series, Launching Young Readers, learn more about what a quality preschool program looks like.
Watch video clip >
Dr. Robert Pianta, director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning at the University of Virginia, talks about the benefits and characteristics of a good preschool program.
Watch interview >
Detecting early reading problems
Get Ready to Read screening tool. Try this easy, 10-minute screening tool with the four-year-olds you know. It will tell you if they are on track for learning how to read.
Early intervention
Teachers and parents of preschoolers can identify learning problems early enough to prevent problems later in school.
Recommended books for preschoolers
In search of free kids' books
Where can your preschool or childcare center find free or low-cost books?
Read more >
