Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning.
Fred Rogers
Play is one of the best ways to support your child in developing their early literacy skills. There are many ways in which you can incorporate language and literacy into everyday play – and the best part is that it’s fun too!
- Talk about the size, shape, colour, and texture of toys while your child plays with them
- Make animal sounds while pretending to be animals
- Share new words while pretending to be somewhere else (in space, in a jungle, at the beach, under the sea, etc.)
- Play at reading menus, grocery lists, prescriptions in doctors’ offices. Show your child that that words are in the world all around us and they’re important!
- Have fun with rhymes. Pick a word and see how many other words you and your child can find that rhyme with it. Read books with lots of rhymes in them or sing nursery rhymes together.
- When you are writing a grocery list, give your child a crayon and paper and let them do the same. Playing at writing is learning to write!
Need more ideas?
Early Literacy Kits
Our Early Literacy Kits are designed to help parents, guardians, and childcare providers support their children’s early literacy through meaningful interactions.
Interactive Toys at the Library
We love our new interactive toys!
Literacy at Home: Free Play Resouces
We all know that play is a valuable part of childhood, but did you know that play is actually a critical part of a child’s learning, development, and well-being? It’s true! We have two free resources to help you support your child in playing and learning!
