Early Literacy By Three: A Snapshot

The era of child care is upon us. Your child will begin to hear books read out loud during storytime and start to practice their writing and drawing skills. Your child will begin to explore the wider world around them and make new novel experiences along the way. By 36 months of age, you can expect the following:

Reading

• Knows words have an attached meaning

• Knows some words are used for different reasons.

• Starts to name black and white pictures, not just coloured ones.

• Points to/names many common objects/things in picture books.

• Begins to enjoy rhyme and rhyming words.

• Enjoy having their favourite books read over and over again.

• Likes to listen and repeat words and phrases during story time.

• Begins to sit and read alone. Needs less supervision.

• Turns pages one by one.

• Knows the difference between the front and back of books.

• Knows how to hold books (e.g., no holding the book upsidedown)

• Know the direction we read a book in (left to right).

• Listens and enjoys reading with adults for 5- 15 minutes.

Writing

• Writes by drawing and scribbling.

• Scribbles using different types of lines (e.g., wavy lines/zigzag lines)

• Some basic shapes begin to appear (e.g., square/circle)

Tips & Tricks

• Conversation: Talking to your child helps promote awareness of sounds and new concepts.

  • Talk to your child about objects around them and what people are doing nearby.

  • Repeat the words/phrases your child says

  • Add more words/phrases to their utterances (e.g., I want water -> I want a glass of water).

  • Teach new words at every opportunity.

• Read To Your Child: Immerse your child in the world of books by reading, singing and rhyming.

  • Read picture books to your child.

  • Read things with sounds and rhyming words.

  • Sing nursery rhymes.

  • Read food boxes and words on T.V. Look at magazines together.

  • Look at signs/writing outside of the home. Talk to them about it.

  • Encourage your child to try reading new books with you on unfamiliar subjects.

  • Point to words and pictures as you read. Say them out loud.

• Get Drawing: Encourage them to draw with you.

  • Give your child drawing supplies for scribbling/drawing.

  • Skribble on the same piece of paper together

  • Make it fun by talking about what you are drawing and what they are drawing.

  • See if you can get them to copy what you’ve draw. Make it into a game.

  • Ask them about what they are drawing.

Please note the above information is general in nature and is not intended as professional medical advice. Please seek an appointment with a registered speech-language pathologist if you are at all worried about your child's development.

References:

• P Roth, F. (2006). Getting Your Child Ready for Reading and Writing. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/siteassets/uploadedFiles/Getting-Your-Child-Ready-Reading-and-Writing

• Speech Pathology Australia (2024). Literacy and Communication. www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au. https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Communication_Hub/Resources/Fact_Sheets/Literacy_and_communication.aspx

Suggested Resources

FREEBIE Hickory Dickory Dock: Auditory Comprehension

A classic nursery rhyme auditory comprehension and WH question activity for early learners.