What is early literacy?
Early Literacy is what children know about reading before they actually begin learning to read at about age five. The Ready to Read program supports parents and caregivers as they develop the early literacy skills of their preschool children. Ready to Read helps to prepare children for the journey they will make to independent reading. The principles of Ready to Read are now being promoted in all of Clarington Public Library’s programs and services for young children.
Research-based
Ready to Read is founded on extensive research into the importance of key skills that build reading readiness in children between birth and five years of age. It is adapted from the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read© program and Toronto Public Library’s Ready for Reading program.
Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school, and the more that children are exposed to reading in their first five years of life, the easier they will find learning to read in elementary school.
The six early literacy skills
Ready to Read aims to develop six early literacy skills that have been identified by the American Library Association as essential to the development of reading readiness in young children. The goal is to encourage children aged five and younger to: 
- Love Books (Print Motivation)
- Hear Sounds (Phonological Awareness)
- Know Letters (Letter Knowledge)
- See Words (Print Awareness)
- Learn Words (Vocabulary)
- Tell A Story (Narrative Skills)
Remember, it is never too early or too late for children to start down the road to reading!
For more information, please download our Ready to Read brochures, or call 905-623-7322 ext. 725 to speak with one of our children’s services staff.
