Beyond ABCs: Introducing the Daily 5

Welcome back to our Beyond ABCs series! After reflecting on the importance of early literacy in our last blog, we’re excited to introduce you to the Daily 5. This powerful framework can make literacy development fun and engaging for young children. The five essential activities for building early literacy skills are reading, talking, playing, singing, and writing. In this blog, we’ll dive into the first pillar of the Daily 5: reading. 

The Daily 5: A Foundation for Early Literacy 

The Daily 5 offers simple yet effective ways to incorporate literacy activities into your child’s everyday life. Each of the five activities plays a unique role in supporting literacy development: 

1. Reading: Enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and a love for books. 
2. Talking: Builds language skills and narrative understanding. 
3. Playing: Encourages problem-solving, creativity, and language use. 
4. Singing: Supports phonemic awareness and memory. 
5. Writing: Helps children express themselves and understand the connection between spoken and written words. 

These activities work together to create a strong foundation for future reading and writing success. Today, we’ll focus on how reading can be a joyful and impactful part of your daily routine. 

Why Reading Matters 

Reading to children is a cornerstone of early literacy. It introduces children to new words, concepts, and ideas while sparking their imagination and curiosity. Daily shared reading helps children develop comprehension skills, build a rich vocabulary, and understand story structures, all of which are critical for later reading and academic success. 

Beyond the technical benefits, reading also nurtures a love for books and learning.  When children connect reading with positive experiences, they are more likely to become lifelong readers. 

Practical Reading Activities for Families 

Incorporating reading into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple ways to make reading a natural and enjoyable part of your child’s day: 

• Create a Cozy Reading Nook:  Choose a special spot in your home where your child can read or look at books themselves. Fill it with comfy pillows, soft lighting, and a variety of books. This inviting space will encourage your child to spend time with books. 
• Read Together Every Day: Make reading a daily habit by setting aside time each day to read with your child. Whether it’s during breakfast, before nap time, or as part of your bedtime routine, consistency is key. Let your child choose the books and enjoy the stories together. 
• Explore Different Genres: Introduce your child to a variety of genres, including picture books, poetry, non-fiction, and folktales. This will help them understand different ways of telling stories and make them more curious about the world. 
• Use Picture Walks: Before reading a new book, take a “picture walk” by flipping through the pages and discussing the illustrations. Ask your child what they think the story is about based on the pictures. This activity builds prediction skills and sets the stage for engaged reading. 
• Make Reading Interactive: Encourage your child to participate in the story by asking questions, making predictions, or acting out parts of the story. Interactive reading helps deepen comprehension and makes the experience more engaging and memorable. 

Recommended Booklist 

To get you started, here are a couple of booklists: 

• EPL Great Stuff Babies/Toddlers: 5 Practices of Early Literacy - Reading 
• EPL Great Stuff Preschoolers: 5 Practices of Early Literacy - Reading 

Quick Takeaway 

As you incorporate reading into your family’s daily routine, remember that the goal is to make it a positive and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re cuddled up with a bedtime story or exploring a new genre together, the time you spend reading with your child will have a lasting impact on their literacy development. 

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore the importance of talking and how everyday conversations can build language and literacy skills. In the meantime, happy reading!