Families as First Teachers: Building Strong Literacy Habits at Home

Long before children enter a classroom, they are already learning how language works. 

Erica Holmes-Ware

Chief Program Officer, Children’s Literacy Initiative

From the songs sung at bedtime to conversations in the grocery store, families and caregivers play a powerful role in shaping a child’s early literacy journey. Throughout childhood, these everyday moments help children build language, confidence, and a love of stories while strengthening bonds that can last a lifetime.

Literacy at home doesn’t require special programs or perfect routines. What matters most is connection. When reading and talking are part of daily family life, children begin to see literacy as meaningful, joyful, and connected to who they are.

Here are three simple, sustainable ways families can support literacy at home, starting right where they are.

Make everyday moments literacy moments

Reading doesn’t only happen with books in hand. Families can invite literacy into daily routines by reading street signs while driving, talking about labels at the store, or keeping a few books in the car for busy days. For older children, turning on captions while watching favorite shows can be especially powerful. Seeing the words as they are spoken helps children make connections between print and speech without turning screen time into a lesson.

Start a family book club

Creating a shared reading routine helps children build strong literacy habits and memories at the same time. Families can choose a book together, decide when reading will happen, and talk about the story as they go. Asking questions like “What surprised you?” or “Why do you think the character did that?” encourages children to think deeply and share their ideas. These conversations show children that reading is not just about finishing a book; it’s about understanding, imagining, and connecting.

Tell stories that belong to your family

For younger children, storytelling is just as important as reading words on a page. Families can tell stories about their own lives, talk about family traditions, or look through photos together and describe what’s happening. Wordless picture books are another wonderful tool, inviting children to create stories based on illustrations, name emotions, and predict what might happen next. These activities build language skills while honoring children’s identities and experiences.

When families see themselves as their child’s first teacher, literacy becomes less about “doing it right” and more about being present. These shared reading and storytelling moments help children build skills for school, but just as importantly, they build trust, closeness, and a lifelong relationship with learning.

The post Families as First Teachers: Building Strong Literacy Habits at Home appeared first on Education and Career News.