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We are going to explore how early education and care can build the important foundations for early literacy and suggest how to increase literacy opportunities for young children.

The Magic Mystery Box is a playful activity that encourages young children to communicate, listen and share ideas. The surprise element captures interest, while the predictable routine helps children feel safe to express themselves using words, sounds, gestures or facial expressions. 

Let’s celebrate what makes every child one of a kind! Guide children on a journey of self-discovery – exploring their likes, differences and what makes them unique.

Sharing and telling stories helps children develop language, imagination, and social skills. It builds vocabulary, strengthens memory, and teaches important life lessons. Stories also foster empathy, creativity, and a love for reading, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. 

Make a sensory adventure by exploring the outdoors with eyes closed and ears wide open! This playful walk helps builds attention, extends vocabulary and motivates children to communicate. 

World Book Day is an annual celebration that offers a chance to celebrate children’s favourite story books and characters. Our activity encourages children to share books they cherish while discovering the favourites of others too.   

A walk in your local community can be a fun and engaging way of identifying a range of environmental print that children see and use in their daily lives.

Sensory play refers to activities that allow us to interact with our senses, whether it be touching unfamiliar textures, exploring what we see through colours and light, or trying new tastes. 

Lets explore some simple ways to keep our reading experiences interesting and engaging for all and make early reading fun

Using available resources and guided questioning, this interactive summer sensory exploration activity encourages curiosity, descriptive language and a focus on sensory awareness. Have fun with the sights, sounds, textures and aromas of summer.

Research tells us that one important thing that parents can do to help their child’s education is to share books with them. This can help to develop a lifelong passion for reading and enjoyment of stories in their earliest years.  Parents will have a range of experiences of early reading and formal schooling and this may affect their confidence towards reading with their own child. To develop parents' confidence and help promote reading in the home, see our tips on encouraging reading at home.

Strong communication skills start with rich, everyday interactions. Nursery leaders play a vital role in creating language-rich environments where every child feels heard and confident to express themselves. These simple, playful tips will help spark conversation, extend vocabulary and build confident communicators to help get children talking.

From the very earliest age children are exposed to music from hearing their mum singing to them whilst in the womb

A well designed environment promotes social interaction, removes communication barriers and builds essential learning skills. Prioritising positive communication spaces ensures every child thrives, regardless of ability or background. Explore our top tips and reflect on your daily practice.

We all love a nursery rhyme, and they often take us back to our own special early childhood memories. Whether it’s by audio, video or singing ourselves, think about ways in which you can use nursery rhymes to deepen knowledge and understanding, or promote social and emotional wellbeing.  

How do we implement effective early literacy strategies? Being immersed in a literacy-rich environment allows children to soak up a plethora of experiences…but what does that look like?