Play, Talk & Read With Your Child
Your baby is born ready to learn. The first three years of life are the most important for brain development. When you talk, read and sing to your child, you’re helping to build a healthy brain. Through play, your child learns how things work, how to solve problems and how to get along with others.
How can you turn everyday moments into learning opportunities?
- When your baby is in the bath, talk about how the water feels.
- When you toddler is getting dressed, talk about the clothes he’s putting on and the parts of his body.
- When you’re at the grocery store, talk about the different kinds of fruit you see and the colors on the cereal boxes.
- When you get in the car, sing along to nursery rhymes and children’s music.
Download the 2010 Calendar for Literacy and Early Learning.
There are many online resources with suggestions of simple, fun things you can do to help your child learn to talk and read. These are just a few:
Play Grow Read! campaign at the Kent District Library
Programs
There are many opportunities to get together with other parents and children to share stories, songs and play. Most libraries in Kent County regularly offer free story times and playgroups for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
To learn more and for a schedule of activities, go to:
Bright Beginnings, a partnership of the Kent ISD and its constituent districts, offers a number services to families with children birth to kindergarten entry. Bright Beginnings playgroups are provided free of cost throughout Kent County. For more information and a complete schedule, go to Bright Beginnings.