I can still recall how my daughter would hold a book upside down when she was three. She would feign “reading,” gliding her finger along the page and filling the quiet with her interpretation of the tale. Initially, I felt inclined to offer her a correction. However, I came to understand—this was her method of embracing a love for books. She wasn’t learning letters yet, but she was discovering something far more significant: that stories can bring joy.
I learnt something important from that event. Literacy is a lot more than just being able to read, write, and spell things straight. Giving kids a good foundation lets them explore, play with, and talk about words without worrying about making mistakes. A good education is a strong foundation for a better future
Why early literacy matters
Parents often ask, “When should my child start reading?” The truth is, reading doesn’t begin with the first word a child spells correctly. It begins long before—with rhymes sung in the cradle, picture books at bedtime, silly word games in the car, and the joy of listening to a parent’s voice.
Professionals refer to this as language and literacy development during early childhood, but in simpler terms, it’s really about assisting children in recognising how words function in their environment. Each time they encounter a rhyme, gesture towards a signboard, or echo a humorous phrase, they are constructing the building blocks of that solid foundation.
And here’s the good news: this can be done without the heavy burden of pressure.
Pressure vs. joy: a thin line
I once met a mother at a park who looked worried. Her son was four, and she whispered, “He doesn’t know how to read yet. Other kids can already.” I looked over and observed her son joyfully constructing sand castles, coming up with names for each one—“Dragon Palace,” “Super Fort,” “Candy Tower.” What she failed to observe was that he was engaging in creativity, language, and sequencing—all skills that contribute directly to literacy.
Too often, we measure children by how early they can read sentences. But literacy is more than decoding letters. It’s about rhythm, listening, comprehension, and imagination. When we rush, we risk turning reading into a chore. When we step back, children discover that words can be playgrounds, not exams.
Everyday ways to nurture literacy
You don’t need a degree in education or a shelf full of flashcards to build literacy habits at home. Time, attention, and some fun are what you need. Some easy things I did that helped me and other parents I know:
Read aloud daily
Even ten minutes a day makes a huge difference. The trick is not what you read, but how. Use funny voices. Pause for your child to guess what comes next. Ask them to point out their favourite picture.
Talk, talk, talk
Describe what you’re doing while cooking. Ask open-ended questions: “Why do you think the clouds look like that today?” This builds vocabulary naturally.
Let children “write” their way
Scribbles, random letters, or invented spellings are all part of early writing. My daughter once handed me a note that said, “ILUVU.” It wasn’t wrong—it was perfect for her stage.
Sing and play with sounds
Nursery rhymes, clapping games, silly tongue twisters—all of these sharpen sound awareness, a key part of early reading.
Use the world as a classroom
Grocery labels, bus numbers, street signs—these are all opportunities to notice letters and words in real life.
When children learn this way, they slowly realise that words aren’t scary. They’re friendly tools.
The bigger picture: education and the future
People often say that getting a good education will help you have a better future. But what does that mean in terms of reading and writing?
Like being curious, having faith in yourself, and having the guts to try new things, habits formed in early life will last for a long time. If a five-year-old child likes books, they are more likely to be interested in learning when they are fifteen. And a child who feels supported instead of pushed builds strength, not fear.
This takes time to happen. Before a child can become a great reader and writer, they need to have situations that make them feel safe and warm.
A child’s-eye view
If you’ve ever asked a five-year-old what reading feels like, the answers can surprise you.
One child I know said, “Reading is like opening treasure.” Another giggled and said, “It’s when letters dance and make friends.”
These answers remind us that children don’t see literacy as a target on a chart. They see it as magic. And our job, as parents and teachers, is to protect that magic from being smothered by unnecessary comparisons.
Teachers and parents as guides
In classrooms, the best teachers I’ve met are the ones who gently guide rather than push. They celebrate the small milestones—a child recognising their name on a label or sounding out the first letter of a pet’s name.
At home, parents play the same role. The way we react when a child struggles matters more than the mistake itself. Instead of saying, “That’s wrong,” try saying, “That’s close; let’s see how else it could be.” Encouragement plants confidence.
This partnership between teachers and parents is what sustains language and literacy development in early childhood. Together, we give children not just skills but the love of learning.
Avoiding common pitfalls
It’s easy to fall into certain traps without realising:
Comparison with peers:
Every child develops at their own pace. Comparing only creates stress.
Too many structured classes:
Extra classes can help, but balance them with free play and downtime.
Focus only on letters and reading speed:
Don’t forget comprehension, storytelling, and listening skills.
The antidote is simple—observe your child, not your neighbour’s.
Creating a culture of stories at home
One of the best gifts my parents gave me was a culture of stories. We didn’t have many fancy toys, but we had an endless supply of folktales, bedtime tales, and festival stories.
I try to pass that along now. Sometimes, I let my daughter tell the story back to me, even if it makes no sense. Once, she narrated how “the moon borrowed sugar from the stars to bake a cake.” Did it matter that it wasn’t “correct”? Not at all. What mattered was that she was exercising her imagination and voice.
That is literacy in action—without pressure, without a textbook in sight.
Planting seeds for the future
Building literacy without pressure is like gardening. You prepare the soil with love, plant seeds with care, and water them regularly. But you cannot pull at the sapling to make it grow faster.
A strong foundation in literacy isn’t built on speed, but on joy. And when kids enjoy learning, they take that joy with them into every area and stage of their lives.
This is because a good education is the key to a better future. And learning to read and write slowly, not all at once, is one of the most important parts of that base.
Closing thoughts for parents
If you occasionally find yourself feeling anxious about your child’s progress, take a moment to pause and breathe deeply. Consider the broader perspective. Consider this: does your child find joy in words, sounds, and stories? If the response is affirmative, then you are already heading in the right direction.
Remember, the goal is not to raise a lifelong learner who sees words as friends.
We promote reading and writing at Kangaroo Kids International Preschool by encouraging kids to be curious, play, and have important experiences. Because we know that each child’s journey is different, our programmes are made to give kids a solid base in learning without putting them under too much stress. One story at a time, we help kids discover the fun of learning.
