The term "literacy" is used by some to simply describe reading and writing, but in fact literacy covers a much wider range of learning.
Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first 3 years of life and is closely linked to a child’s earliest experiences with books and stories. The interactions that young children have with such literacy materials as books, paper, and crayons, and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development. This relatively new understanding of early literacy development complements the current research supporting the critical role of early experiences in shaping brain development.
Our current understanding of early language and literacy development has provided new ways of helping children learn to talk, read and write. But it does not advocate "the teaching of reading" to younger and younger children. Formal instruction which pushes infants and toddlers to achieve adult models of literacy (i.e., the actual reading and writing of words) is not developmentally appropriate. Early literacy theory emphasizes the more natural unfolding of skills through the enjoyment of books, the importance of positive interactions between young children and adults, and the critical role of literacy-rich experiences. Formal instruction to require young children who are not developmentally ready to read is counter productive and potentially damaging to children, who may begin to associate reading and books with failure.
Along with language development, children are building their vocabulary. They learn new vocabulary in many ways, including through reading books and talking with adults in their environment. Studies have shown that the larger a child’s vocabulary, the quicker they will learn to read, as they are familiar with more of the words they will encounter.
