Early Literacy at Daycare: Building Reading Foundations 2026

The foundation for reading success is built long before children pick up their first book. Quality childcare programs intentionally support early literacy development through everyday experiences. Understanding what this looks like helps you evaluate programs.

Early literacy

What Is Early Literacy?

Definition

Early literacy includes:

Skills before reading
Language development
Book awareness
Print concepts
Phonological awareness
Vocabulary building

Not Early Reading

Distinction:

Not teaching to read
Building foundations
Developmentally appropriate
Through play and interaction
Natural skill development

Key Literacy Skills

Phonological Awareness

Sound awareness includes:

Rhyming recognition
Syllable awareness
Beginning sounds
Sound play
Rhythm and patterns

Developed through:

Songs and rhymes
Word games
Read-alouds
Sound exploration

Vocabulary

Word knowledge grows through:

Rich conversations
Reading aloud
Exposure to new words
Context learning
Repetition and practice

Print Awareness

Understanding includes:

Books have words
Print carries meaning
Pages turn certain way
Words read left to right
Letters make sounds

Narrative Skills

Story understanding:

Sequence of events
Characters and plot
Retelling stories
Creating stories
Connecting to experiences

How Childcare Supports Literacy

Read-Alouds

Quality programs:

Read multiple times daily
Interactive reading
Various book types
Discussions about stories
Child-chosen and teacher-chosen

Language-Rich Environment

Should include:

Constant conversation
Rich vocabulary use
Questions and discussion
Songs and rhymes
Print throughout room

Print-Rich Environment

Look for:

Labels on objects
Name recognition opportunities
Books accessible
Writing materials available
Environmental print

Writing Experiences

Even for young children:

Scribbling and drawing
Name writing attempts
Mark making
Writing materials accessible
Dictation to adults

Literacy by Age

Infants

Literacy experiences:

Being read to
Hearing language
Board book exploration
Songs and rhymes
Responsive communication

Toddlers

Building skills through:

Interactive read-alouds
Fingerplays and songs
Naming objects
Simple stories
Book handling
Early scribbling

Preschoolers

Developing:

Longer story engagement
Letter recognition
Sound awareness
Name writing
Story retelling
Vocabulary expansion

What Quality Looks Like

Environment

Indicators:

Cozy reading area
Books at child level
Variety of books
Writing center
Print everywhere
Inviting and accessible

Interactions

Teachers should:

Read with expression
Ask open questions
Build vocabulary
Play with sounds
Follow child interests
Make reading joyful

Activities

Should include:

Daily read-alouds
Songs and fingerplays
Storytelling
Writing opportunities
Alphabet exposure (natural)
Rhyming games

Red Flags

Concerning Signs

Be cautious if:

Limited book availability
Rare reading times
Drill-focused literacy
Worksheets for young children
Pressure to read early
No print environment

What to Avoid

Not developmentally appropriate:

Forced letter drilling
Worksheets for toddlers
Testing young children
Pressure to perform
Boring approaches

Questions to Ask

About Literacy

Ask programs:

How do you support literacy?
How often do you read aloud?
What's your approach to pre-reading?
How do you build vocabulary?
What does your book area look like?

About Philosophy

Understand:

Is approach play-based?
How is reading made joyful?
What about phonics/letters?
How do you include writing?

Supporting at Home

Extending Learning

At home:

Read daily
Talk constantly
Sing together
Play with sounds
Provide books and writing

Connection Questions

Ask about daycare:

What book did you read?
What songs did you sing?
Tell me a story
What new words did you learn?

Key Takeaways

Early literacy is foundational:

Builds before reading
Through play and interaction
Skills develop naturally
Not formal instruction