Did you know your child starts developing reading skills long before they open their first book? From birth to preschool, kids are absorbing language, rhythm, and vocabulary—laying the foundation for a lifetime of reading success. But what should you be doing during this stage? And how can you support your child’s learning without pressure or overwhelm?
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook breaks down key early literacy milestones, how to spot potential struggles, and simple, playful ways to help your child fall in love with books from the very beginning.
Whether your child is just starting to babble or beginning to recognize letters, this episode is your parent-friendly guide to making early literacy fun, natural, and effective.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why early literacy is crucial—and starts way before kindergarten
✔️ Key milestones from birth to age 5 (and how to support them!)
✔️ What phonemic awareness is—and why it matters
✔️ Fun, low-pressure ways to build early literacy through play and routines
✔️ How to recognize red flags and what to do if your child needs extra support
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:01:28] Why early literacy matters
[00:03:27] What the science of reading says about phonics and sound awareness
[00:03:58] The power of everyday language exposure
[00:04:28] Literacy milestones from babyhood through preschool
[00:10:27] Boosting literacy through play & storytime
[00:20:25] Signs of early reading struggles
[00:23:01] When to seek extra support and how to trust your gut
[00:24:01] It’s not about speed—it’s about loving the journey
[00:24:31] Preview of Part 2: Elementary reading milestones and support tips
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/05/08/early-literacy-for-parents/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/jnm5rfyLDVs
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
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It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
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