Families For Life | Developing Literacy-Newborn

Long before babies learn to read and write, they begin developing the skills needed for literacy. From birth, everyday interactions help your baby learn about language, sounds and communication.

Simple activities such as talking, singing and reading together support healthy brain development and lay the foundation for future learning.

Talk and Sing Throughout the Day

Babies learn language by listening to the people around them. During routines such as feeding, bathing or going for a walk, describe what you are doing and what your baby can see.

You can also:

• Respond to your baby's coos and babbling.

• Sing nursery rhymes and simple songs.

• Use facial expressions and gestures while speaking.

• Name familiar objects and people.

These back-and-forth interactions help your baby learn that communication is a shared experience.

Read from the Start

Reading to babies helps them become familiar with words, sounds and books. Many babies enjoy looking at colourful pictures and listening to the rhythm of your voice.

Choose sturdy board books with:

• Bright pictures

• Simple words

• Repetition and rhyme

• Touch-and-feel features

Even a few minutes of reading each day can support language development and strengthen your bond.

Explore Sounds and Rhymes

Songs, rhymes and playful sounds help babies recognise patterns in language.

Try:

• Singing nursery rhymes during daily routines.

• Repeating simple rhyming words.

• Making animal sounds together.

• Clapping along to songs.

These fun activities help your baby develop listening skills that support later reading and writing.

Every Interaction Matters

Talking, singing and reading with your baby may seem simple, but these everyday moments are helping build the language and literacy skills they will use throughout childhood.