Because literacy begins developing long before children learn to read and write, at the ACADEMY, we incorporate literacy into our daily infant curriculum. In infancy and the preschool years, exposure to books, language, and storytelling builds the foundation for later academic success and communication skills. Here are the key reasons literacy and books are so important for infants and preschoolers.
1. Supports Early Brain Development
During the first five years of life, a child’s brain develops rapidly. Reading and talking to infants and preschoolers helps build neural connections related to language and comprehension.
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Hearing words strengthens listening and processing skills
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Repetition helps babies recognize sounds, rhythms, and patterns in language
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Looking at pictures while hearing words connects visual understanding with vocabulary
Even very young babies benefit from simply hearing a caregiver’s voice while looking at a book.
2. Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills
Children who are regularly read to hear thousands of more words than those who are not. Books introduce vocabulary that may not appear in everyday conversation.
Benefits include:
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Learning new words and meanings
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Developing sentence structure and grammar
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Improving listening comprehension
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Encouraging children to ask questions and talk about stories
These language skills strongly support later reading success in kindergarten and elementary school.
3. Develops Early Literacy Skills
Handling books and participating in storytime helps children learn pre-reading skills, such as:
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Understanding that print carries meaning
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Recognizing letters and sounds
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Learning how books work (turning pages, reading left to right)
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Developing story sequencing and comprehension
These skills are often called emergent literacy, and they form the bridge to independent reading later.
4. Encourages Imagination and Cognitive Development
Books introduce children to new ideas, characters, and experiences. Through stories they learn to:
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Predict what might happen next
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Understand cause and effect
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Develop memory and problem-solving skills
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Use imagination and creativity
Story discussions also strengthen critical thinking.
5. Builds Emotional Bonds and Social Skills
Reading together creates a positive emotional experience. It helps children associate books with comfort and enjoyment.
Shared reading:
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Strengthens caregiver–child relationships
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Builds attention span and focus
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Helps children understand feelings and empathy through characters
These experiences encourage a lifelong love of reading.
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