Ways to Turn Your Home into a Nurturing Literacy Environment

Ashley McClure

• Published on August 5, 2024

A mother and daughter at home look at a notebook on a mustard yellow couch

Literacy can feel like an intimidating concept, but one of the most relatable ways to define literacy is "the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world" (National Literacy Trust, UK).

Did you ask your child how their day went and engage in a conversation? That's literacy!

Did you sing to your baby? That's literacy!

Did you point out the stop sign as you passed it? That's literacy!

Turning your home into a nurturing literacy environment can feel like a daunting task, but in practice, it can be easily accomplished!

Here are a few quick tips about how to make it happen: 

Let children choose.

Allowing children to choose their books increases their engagement and enjoyment of reading. Research shows that students who have opportunities to select their books are more likely to become intrinsically motivated readers. According to Scholastic, 93% of kids say their favorite books are the ones they picked. If this means they may have you read the same book over and over again, you might be right, and that's okay! 

Ensure books are physically accessible.

Putting books and other literacy materials within reach allows children to engage with books independently. This empowers children to select books based on their interests and curiosity, promoting autonomy and self-directed learning. When children can freely flip through pages, point to pictures, and experiment with storytelling, it enhances their vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills.

Read books in your native language(s).

Not only does this maintain a connection with a child's family and to a child's home culture, but it also benefits neurological development. Bilingualism supports flexibility, critical thinking, math skills, and more (Benefits of Being Bilingual, Head Start).

Diversify your shelves.

Switch up what books are on your shelves. These don't have to be books you've bought; instead, you could utilize your local public library or find a Little Free Library near you using this tool.

Role model your reading and writing.

There is power in reading in front of your child and showing them the value you put behind literacy. For example, you can enjoy your own book, point out the recipe you're reading as you make dinner, or talk through the grocery list as you write it. 

Encourage writing opportunities.

Kids love to express themselves through writing! Remember, this can look different depending on their age and ability level. Writing can look like a scribble, a string of letters, seemingly random letters, or the beginnings of a word. Encourage your child to write a list before you head to the grocery together. Have them add a label next to their picture so you can remember what they drew. Make writing tools available to them and allow them the freedom to write on blank paper. 

Start at birth.

Fostering early language and reading routines at home from a baby's very first days lays the foundation for optimal brain development in the first five years. This can include reading books, singing to, and speaking with your baby. 

Creating a nurturing literacy environment at home is a powerful way to support your child's development and set them up for lifelong success. Remember, literacy isn't just about reading and writing — it's about engaging in communication and exploration together. Every interaction can build literacy skills.

Embrace these tips with enthusiasm and watch as your child's literacy abilities flourish!

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About the Author

Ashley McClure is the Books on Break Expansion Manager at Book Harvest in Durham, NC.