Read below for a look at early literacy and a variety of emergent literacy activities for preschoolers and kindergartners. These activities will help you plan as you prepare young children to learn to read.
If you’re a regular reader of Fun-A-Day, you already know I’m passionate about early literacy. If you’re new here, come on in and join the discussion.
Based on many conversations with parents and fellow educators, I wanted to delve deeper into the world of beginning reading and “reading readiness”. Throughout a variety of posts, I’ll be taking a look at important factors that help young children learn to read in real, meaningful, and age-appropriate ways.
What is Reading Readiness Anyway?
Reading readiness is a term that’s often bandied about in early childhood education. For some reason, it sounds scarier than it really is (probably because it’s fraught with the implication of non-readiness).
Basically, it’s the point at which a child is ready to read. When she’s ready to take all of her pre-reading knowledge and apply it to learning how to read printed words.
There is so much she has to learn prior to being ready, though!
Please keep in mind that each individual child is ready to read on her own terms – there’s not one magical age or time that applies to every single child.
How Can I Teach Emergent Literacy Skills in Meaningful Ways?
Well, I’m glad you asked! As I mentioned above, I want to answer this exact question with the Ultimate Guide to Learning to Read series!
Since early literacy is a massive topic, I’ll be breaking it down piece by piece. I’ll share a specific concept, explain its importance, and share ways to teach it to children.
Topics will include phonological awareness, book and print awareness, the alphabetic principle, etc. The goal is to explore the elements of early literacy and then share real, hands-on emergent literacy activities for preschoolers and kindergarten kids.
The Ultimate Guide to Learning to Read
Below are all of Fun-A-Day’s emergent literacy activities, all in one handy-dandy place. You’ll find many ideas for teaching emerging reading skills for preschool.
Be sure to check back, as I’ll be updating this page as more activities and ideas are shared! As time goes on, I’ll be sure to break the activities down by categories. That way you can find just what you’re looking for.

RHYMING ANCHOR CHART – A simple but effective way to introduce the concept of rhyming.

Teaching Syllables with Simple Games – A collection of easy, no-prep syllable activities to try “on the fly”
While you’re waiting for the series to fill out, here are some related posts to read:
- Teaching children about letters
- Why kids need to look at the pictures as they learn to read
- 10 activities to teach beginning sounds and letters
- 15+ name activities for preschoolers
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star rhyming activity
- Word walls in preschool and kindergarten
What emergent literacy activities and topics are you interested in learning more about? I would love to hear what would benefit you, so please email me or simply leave a comment below.
The entire reason this series began is because I want to work with other teachers, parents, homeschooling families, and teachers-in-training!
Be sure to hop over to Still Playing School and read what Devany has to say – Early Literacy: The Ultimate Guide to Learning to Read.
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