SMPLKids - Emergent Literacy

Emergent Literacy

Preparing your baby, toddler or pre-schooler for reading

What is Emergent Literacy?

Emergent literacy is defined as what children learn about reading and writing before they can actually read or write. Before a child learns to read he or she must develop a variety of skills: such as recognizing symbols and letters, understanding that stories have a structure and learning a number of words.

The way a parent or caregiver interacts with a young child has a huge impact on a child's development. To assist parents and caregivers, the library offers a range of information and programs designed to develop emergent literacy skills.

Emergent Literacy Resources	Recommended Reading for Pre-Readers
Parenting Books The Santa Monica Public Library has an excellent collection of parenting books currently located at the Ocean Park Branch Library. Story Time! Regular story times for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are offered at all of the Santa Monica Public Library branches and at Reed Park and Joslyn Park. For further information please see our current Program Calendar. Preparing Your Baby, Toddler or Pre-schooler for Reading Brochures A series of brochures, including suggestions for developing emergent literacy skills, suggested reading and sample rhymes are available at all of the Santa Monica Public Library locations. Preparing Your Baby for Reading Baby Songs and Rhymes Preparing Your Toddler for Reading Books for Toddlers Preparing Your Pre-schooler for Reading		Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney Ages 2-4 Bedtime and Separation Anxiety
	Baby llama does not like being left alone. Following a sequence that will be familiar to parents of small children, he moans, pouts, stomps and wails until Momma llama assures him that she is near, even when she is not right here. A fun book with exuberant illustrations, Llama, Llama Red Pajama is also a terrific way to start a conversation about bedtime and separation. - Donnae 9/05 More recommended reading...
	Six Important Pre-Reading Skills
	Yes! Your child starts learning from birth! Research has found that there are six pre-reading skills children must gain in order to learn to read. Print Motivation Developing an interest in books and learning to enjoy books and reading. Narrative Skills Learning to describe things and events and tell stories. Letter Awareness Learning that letters are different from each other, learning their names and sounds. Print Awareness Noticing letters and words, following the words on a page and learning how to handle a book. Vocabulary Learning the names of things. Phonological Awareness Learning to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.