WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:05.450 90% of a child’s brain capacity develops before age five. 00:00:05.450 --> 00:00:10.019 By age three a child’s brain has formed three quadrillion connections! 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:14.750 This period of rapid mental growth is the best time for children to learn skills for 00:00:14.750 --> 00:00:16.150 early reading success. 00:00:16.150 --> 00:00:20.430 Caregivers can help young children develop early literacy skills by using these five 00:00:20.430 --> 00:00:23.449 practices, developed by early childhood experts. 00:00:23.449 --> 00:00:24.550 1. READ 00:00:24.550 --> 00:00:29.349 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading to children for 20 minutes 00:00:29.349 --> 00:00:30.349 each day 00:00:30.349 --> 00:00:32.140 2. SING 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:36.440 Singing is an enjoyable way for children to learn the sounds that make up words 00:00:36.440 --> 00:00:39.590 3. TALK 00:00:39.590 --> 00:00:43.460 Have back and forth conversations with words or actions 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:46.640 4. PLAY 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:50.220 Playing fosters flexible, imaginative and symbolic thinking 00:00:50.220 --> 00:00:52.360 5. WRITE 00:00:52.360 --> 00:00:58.320 Writing encourages fine motor skill development, including holding writing utensils 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:03.080 Look for times to add these 5 practices into your daily routine, like: diaper changing 00:01:03.080 --> 00:01:08.230 time, bed time, car rides, bath time, or getting dressed 00:01:08.230 --> 00:01:11.720 Just a few minutes each day of intentional skill building can help the children in your 00:01:11.720 --> 00:01:13.900 life be ready to read! 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:18.310 Visit herrickdl.org/EarlyLiteracy for more information on these Five Literacy 00:01:18.310 --> 00:01:19.049 Practices.