PRE-LITERACY &
LITERACY SKILLS
Pre-Literacy & Literacy Skills: Building a Strong Foundation for Reading and Writing
Is Your Child Ready to Start Their Literacy Journey?
You may be wondering:
How can I help my child develop these skills in a meaningful way?
What are the early signs that my child needs help with literacy?
How do I support my child’s confidence in reading and writing?
As a parent, nothing feels more rewarding than hearing your child express themselves. But if your toddler isn’t meeting talking milestones, it can be a source of worry and uncertainty.
At Rocky View Speech Therapy, we help guide your child through these early literacy skills with personalized support, empowering them to become confident readers and writers.
The early stages of reading and writing are essential for long-term academic success. Some children need additional support to develop foundational literacy skills. If your child is struggling with sound recognition, letter knowledge, or early writing skills, you’re not alone.
What Are Pre-Literacy & Literacy Skills?
Pre-literacy skills are the foundational skills that lay the groundwork for reading and writing. These include:
Phonological Awareness: Recognizing and manipulating sounds in words, such as rhyming, syllables, and identifying beginning sounds.
Letter Knowledge: Identifying letters, understanding their sounds, and associating them with their written form.
Print Awareness: Understanding that print carries meaning, such as recognizing that books are read from left to right and top to bottom.
Listening Skills: The ability to follow verbal instructions and understand spoken language.
As your child develops, these skills evolve into more complex literacy abilities:
Word Recognition: Recognizing sight words and understanding the connection between sounds and letters.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding the meaning of simple texts, following stories, and recalling details.
These skills work together to help children gain fluency in reading and writing, setting them up for success as they grow.
Key Milestones for Speech Development
Understanding developmental milestones in pre-literacy and literacy can help you gauge your child’s progress.
By 3 Years:
Recognizes a few letters and their corresponding sounds.
Understands that print has meaning (e.g., knowing that books are read from left to right).
Starts to recognize and produce rhyming words.
By 4 Years:
Can identify many letters of the alphabet and match them with their sounds.
Begins to identify some sight words and understands that print tells a story.
Can follow simple instructions while engaging with stories.
By 5 Years:
Reads some simple sight words and begins to decode basic words using phonics.
Understands the relationship between letters and sounds.
Can recall key details from stories and answer simple comprehension questions.
If your child is not reaching these milestones or seems to be struggling, early intervention can make a significant difference in their literacy development.
How We Support Your Family
Phonological Awareness Activities: Engaging your child in activities that help them recognize and manipulate sounds, such as rhyming games and syllable counting.
Letter and Sound Recognition: Fun activities designed to teach letter names, sounds, and their association to words.
Print Awareness Exercises: Encouraging activities that promote an understanding of print, such as reading simple books together and talking about the text.
Parental Guidance and Strategies: Offering practical tips for reinforcing these skills at home, making learning a natural part of daily life.
At Rocky View Speech Therapy, we provide personalized support to help your child develop pre-literacy and literacy skills. Our approach includes:
Our approach celebrates each child’s progress at every stage, recognizing their unique development and needs.
Why Pre-Literacy & Literacy Skills Matter
Early development of pre-literacy and literacy skills helps children communicate effectively, think critically, and engage with their environment. Delays in these areas can affect not only academic performance but also social interactions and self-esteem. Early support ensures that children build a strong foundation for future learning.
What Happens in Therapy Sessions?
Therapy sessions for pre-literacy and literacy skills are engaging, interactive, and fun.
Phonological Awareness Games
Activities that focus on identifying rhymes, syllables, and sounds in words.
Reading Aloud and Storytelling
Promoting listening skills and comprehension by reading stories together and discussing the text.
Letter and Sound Recognition Activities
Games and exercises to help your child identify and associate letters with sounds.
Each session is tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring that learning is motivating and enjoyable.
Why Families Choose Rocky View Speech Therapy
At Rocky View Speech Therapy, we focus on empowering families with the tools and strategies to foster growth.
Families trust us because we offer:
Experienced SLPs: Our specialists are trained to work on the foundational skills of reading and writing, focusing on speech and language development.
Personalized Plans: We develop individualized plans that match your child’s pace and learning style.
Parent-Centered Support: We provide guidance to help you reinforce literacy skills at home, making learning a seamless part of daily routines.
FAQs About Pre-Literacy & Literacy Skills
Q: How can I tell if my child is behind in pre-literacy skills?
If your child struggles to recognize sounds, letters, or follow simple directions, they may benefit from extra support. We can assess their skills and develop a personalized plan to help them succeed.
Q: Can speech therapy really help with literacy skills?
Yes! SLPs play a critical role in developing pre-literacy and literacy skills, especially phonological awareness, letter-sound relationships, and early writing. We use evidence-based strategies to support your child’s literacy growth.
Take the First Step Today
Supporting your child’s early literacy development can set them up for a lifetime of academic and personal success. With the right support, your child can build the confidence and skills they need to thrive in reading and writing.
Contact us today to schedule a first session and learn how we can help your child build the foundation for literacy success.