🧠 Early Literacy Milestones: Birth-12 Months + through 10 Years!

At every stage, from birth to 10 years old, children are developing key literacy skills. We’ve done the research (so you don’t have to) to keep you informed.

Check out the full newsletter to get the rest!

If you aren't already subscribed, be sure to sign up here and join our community of passionate parents and educators. Get cutting-edge research, invitations to exclusive events with experts, and special discounts.

0-3 Months (Birth-3 Months):

What Early Literacy Looks Like at This Age

• Listening to voices
• Watching faces while being spoken to
• Calming when spoken or sung to
• Beginning to coo and vocalize

Early Literacy Milestones
By the end of this stage, a baby is:

• Recognizing familiar voices
• Attending briefly to spoken language
• Learning the rhythm and melody of speech
• Experiencing books as a positive, shared experience

What Parents / Families Can Do

• Talk to your baby throughout the day, narrate what is happening, e.g., “I am changing your diaper.”
• Read aloud daily (even 1–2 minutes counts).
• Use expressive, natural speech.
• Sing lullabies, rhymes, and simple songs.
• Hold the baby so they can see your face while you talk or read.

What NOT to Worry About

• Baby paying attention the whole time
• Understanding words
• Finishing books

Tips to Support Your Child, Use:

• High-contrast board or cloth books
• Simple books with faces or bold shapes
• Short, rhythmic read-alouds
• Songs, rhymes, and spoken routines