90% of a child’s brain capacity develops
before age five.

By age three a child’s brain has formed
three quadrillion connections!

This period of rapid mental growth
is the best time for children to learn skills

for early reading success.

Caregivers can help young children develop
early literacy skills

by using these five practices,
developed by early childhood experts.

One, read.

The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends reading to children for 20 minutes

each day

2. SING

Singing is an enjoyable way for children
to learn the sounds that make up words

3. TALK

Have back and forth conversations with words
or actions

4. PLAY

Playing fosters flexible, imaginative and symbolic
thinking

5. WRITE

Writing encourages fine motor skill development, including
holding writing utensils

Look for times to add these 5 practices into
your daily routine, like: diaper changing

time, bed time, car rides, bath time, or getting
dressed

Just a few minutes each day of intentional
skill building can help the children in your

life be ready to read!

Visit herrickdl.org/EarlyLiteracy for more
information on these Five Literacy

Practices.