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Early Literacy Wiki

Early or emerging literacy describes what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school.

Schools and teachers are important but our parents, and what happens before we reach school, are more significant. It is estimated that by the age of three, 50% of our language is in place. At five, it’s 85%. Language is either there or missing by the time a child starts primary school. And once a child starts primary school, they are only there for 15% of their time. [Sinclair, A. (2007) 0-5: How Small Children Make a Big Difference Provocation Series 3 (1), 5.]

Research into early brain development shows that being read to from the day they are born helps children develop essential pre-literacy skills needed to learn to read and this is one of the most important factors in school success.

But we know that there is a vast difference in the preschool experiences of children in our community. Some spend their first five years in a ‘language rich’ environment while others experience inter-generational disadvantage which perpetuates low literacy levels. In order to make a real difference in our communities we have to find ways to help all children begin school with the vocabulary and reading readiness they need to succeed. 

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