Being able to read and write is a major milestone in a child’s development. However, these skills don’t appear overnight. Before children can actually read words or write sentences, they need to develop a range of foundational skills that should be stimulated from an early age. Experts call these emergent literacy skills—the early abilities that form the foundation for formal reading and writing.

Literacy doesn’t simply mean “being able to read books.” More than that, literacy is the ability to understand, manage, and use information in daily life. A literate child is not only able to recognize letters but can also understand the meaning behind what they read, connect it to real-life experiences, and use it to think and communicate.

From an early age, parents and educators can nurture children’s literacy through six main skills:

 

1. Vocabulary

The first essential skill is vocabulary, or a child’s ability to recognize and understand many words. The richer a child’s vocabulary, the easier it is for them to comprehend texts and express ideas in writing.

Parents can start by connecting words with real objects or experiences. For example, when a child gets a drink, say: “You’re taking a glass for drinking water. The water is cold and refreshing.” This helps the child understand that words like glass, water, and cold refer to real objects or sensations.

Everyday activities are great opportunities to enrich vocabulary—during bath time, meals, walks, or play. Use simple, clear, and varied sentences so children become familiar with many words in different contexts.

Stimulation tips:

• Talk to your child about their daily activities.
• Read storybooks aloud and discuss the pictures and new words.
• Use expressive voices and intonation when storytelling to keep them engaged.

 

2. Print Motivation

Children who enjoy reading activities learn more easily. That’s why it’s important to nurture reading motivation early on. The key principle: make reading fun, not forced.

Let children choose books they like, even if they’re simple or mostly pictures. Make reading a joyful and bonding activity, not a duty.

One of the most effective ways to build reading motivation is through bedtime stories. Besides strengthening emotional connections, this habit introduces books and stories as a natural, enjoyable part of daily life.

Stimulation tips:

• Read expressively and ask simple questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”
• Don’t focus too much on recognizing letters—focus on the joy of the story.
• Use colorful picture books and change themes every few days.
• Make reading part of the routine, such as every night or afternoon.

 

3. Print Awareness

This skill helps children understand that print carries meaning—that the symbols on a page aren’t just pictures, but represent words and ideas. Children begin to grasp that text in Indonesian, for example, is read from left to right, top to bottom, and that letters form meaningful words.

Children can develop print awareness through simple activities such as pointing to words while reading together, recognizing letters on signs, food packages, or household labels.

Stimulation tips:

• Point to words in a book while reading aloud.
• Ask your child to find certain letters on signs or labels.
• Introduce the concepts of the book’s cover, title, and story order.

 

4. Phonological Awareness

Phonological awareness refers to the child’s ability to recognize and play with sounds in language, such as distinguishing letter sounds or mimicking rhythm patterns in words. This is an essential step before learning to read because it helps children understand that words are made up of small sound units called phonemes.

Simple activities like rhyming games, children’s songs, or guessing letter sounds are very effective. For example, play rhyming games like “ball–calla,” “leg–bag.” Or play a sound hunt game by asking for words that start with a certain letter.

Stimulation tips:

• Sing rhyming songs (like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Old MacDonald”).
• Play games that involve guessing words starting with the same sound.
• Read short poems with catchy rhythm.
• Use sound-based games like “Which sound do you hear at the start of ‘mama’?”

 

5. Letter Knowledge

After recognizing sounds, the next step is learning letter shapes and understanding that each letter represents a specific sound. Children also need to know that letter combinations form meaningful words.

At the early stage, don’t rush to teach all letters at once. Focus on 1–3 letters per session so children don’t feel overwhelmed or bored.

Stimulation tips:

• Use engaging materials like letter blocks, cards, or fridge magnets.
• Introduce the letters in the child’s name first.
• Connect letters to real objects, e.g., “A for apple,” “B for ball.”
• Let children trace letters with their fingers to strengthen visual and motor memory.

 

6. Narrative Skills

The final but equally important skill is narrative ability—the capacity to understand event sequences and retell them coherently. This greatly supports future reading comprehension.

You can develop this skill from as early as age 2–3 through casual conversations about daily activities. For instance, ask, “What did you play first at the park?” or “What did you do after eating?” Such questions train logical thinking and help children organize stories in order.

Stimulation tips:

• Read picture books and ask the child to guess what happens next.
• Encourage them to retell the story in their own words.
• Use family photos to help them recall and organize events.
• Teach linking words like then, after that, next.

 

Preparing children to read and write doesn’t have to wait until primary school. In fact, the preschool years are a golden period to stimulate these six early literacy skills. The most important thing is to make every activity fun, interactive, and age-appropriate.

Children who grow up in a language-rich environment, surrounded by books, and supported emotionally by adults will naturally develop strong literacy skills. So rather than rushing to teach children to spell, it’s far better to focus on building their love for reading and writing from the start.

With consistent and nurturing stimulation, children won’t just be ready to read and write—they’ll be ready to think, imagine, and understand the world around them.