Did you know?

Brain science tells us that children develop literacy skills starting at birth. That means literacy learning begins at home and in child care settings. 

Use these tips and resources to start building simple literacy skills and other important habits to unlock your child’s full potential in their early years.

Sing & Talk

Support your child’s language development by singing to them or speaking in simple, short phrases with clear annunciation and in a higher pitch (Don’t be shy! High pitched speech is proven to grab your baby’s attention more effectively). Talk to babies about what they see, hear and smell wherever they go. Explain routines, such as getting dressed and meal time. Each time your baby babbles, engage them in “conversations” by responding with different facial expressions, gestures, or words.

Read Together

Babies like the feeling of closeness when they cuddle up to a parent or caretaker to listen to a story. They will take in new words and develop a lifelong love for reading.

Ask Questions

When your child starts speaking, ask questions like “what happened in the beginning of the story?” and “what happened at the end of the story?” This is an age-appropriate way to build comprehension skills.

Check Your Child’s Progress

It can be difficult to know whether your child is progressing and developing as expected, especially if this is your first. Use these resources to track their progress. Intervening early on any disabilities or delays is vital.

• Take a free online questionnaire called Ages & Stages to monitor your child’s development. (You might recognize this as something you already take when you visit the pediatrician.)
• The Milestones in Action website includes photos and videos of what specific milestones look like at each age for various children
• Use the Talking is Teaching! Milestone Map to track when your child reaches a particular milestone. 

Go to a Workshop or Training Just for Parents

Parenting classes help you build skills to support yourself and your child. Our sister program Northwest Parenting offers free parenting classes in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Classes that are held in person in the evening sometimes provide dinner, snacks and/or free child care. Other classes are virtual. 

See the classes we’re currently offering. 

Help Your Child Navigate Feelings, Emotions and Conflicts

Learning how to problem-solve, share, take turns, sustain friendships and understand and express emotions are all important skills your child will need to learn and practice with you. Like reading and math, these skills -- often called social emotional skills -- take years to develop. The resources below are research-backed tips for helping your child navigate their feelings, emotions and conflicts. 

• These social-emotional skills tip sheets for parents and caregivers will help you build these skills and more with your child.
• We all grew up with different parenting styles. Think about your own style and what you want to take from the generations before and what you want to leave behind. Acclaimed psychologist Dr. Ross Greene counters the oft-used mentality that kids do well if they want to with his contention that kids do well if they can. Watch the video explanation. 
• A Little SEL is a local resource that teaches social-emotional skills to preschoolers around the region and state. [paywall]
  

More Resources by County

Visit our family resources and information webpage for information in English and Spanish.