Literacy Development Milestones in Early Childhood

Literacy development, which includes learning to read and write, begins long before children enter a classroom. The early years provide crucial opportunities to build the foundation children need for future reading success. These skills grow naturally through play, daily routines, and meaningful interactions with adults. For children who need extra support, services like speech therapy in Dubai can play an important role in strengthening both language and literacy.

Infants and Toddlers (Birth to 3 Years)

• Show interest in books by looking, touching, or mouthing them
• Recognize familiar pictures in storybooks
• Enjoy songs, rhymes, and simple stories
• Begin to scribble with crayons as early attempts at writing

Preschoolers (3 to 5 Years)

• Recognize that print carries meaning
• Show awareness of environmental print such as store signs and logos
• Retell parts of familiar stories
• Begin to recognize letters, especially those in their name
• Experiment with writing letters and words

Early School Years (5 to 8 Years)

• Read simple books first with support and later independently
• Write simple words and short sentences
• Use phonics skills to sound out unfamiliar words
• Understand story structure, including the beginning, middle, and end
• Show growing comprehension of what they read

How Parents Can Support Literacy Development

Parents play a powerful role in nurturing literacy. Everyday activities can make a big difference:

• Read aloud daily: Talk about the story and ask questions.
• Encourage drawing and writing: Provide plenty of paper, pencils, and crayons.
• Create a print-rich environment: Keep books within easy reach.
• Play with sounds: Rhyming and word games strengthen sound awareness.
• Connect stories to life: Link what you read to your child’s experiences for deeper understanding.

When to Seek Support

If your child consistently struggles to recognize letters, understand sounds, or remember words despite repeated exposure, it may be time to seek guidance from teachers or a literacy specialist. Early intervention can make reading a more positive and successful experience.

Key Takeaway

Literacy development starts well before school and grows step by step through exploration, play, and practice. By surrounding your child with books, stories, and writing opportunities, you are giving them the tools to become confident readers and writers.

At Talking Brains Center, our speech therapists in Dubai support children’s literacy development in English, Arabic, and French, helping every child gain the skills they need for lifelong learning.