A child’s journey toward literacy begins long before they begin to read and write. Before they start school, children need to learn a set of emergent literacy skills that prepare them for reading and writing when they’re ready. What’s more, when children start school with higher levels of early literacy skills, they go on to have greater overall academic success. 

So how do children learn emergent literacy skills? Studies show that children learn these skills best during enjoyable back-and-forth conversations that center around the things they’re interested in. These conversations can happen during book reading, as well as other activities that are a part of children’s everyday lives.  

The I’m Ready!™ guidebook shows parents how they can make small but impactful changes in the way they communicate and share books with their child to maximize their learning opportunities. Taking a walk, reading a book, shopping for groceries... all of these routines become fun opportunities for parents to prepare their child for reading success. 

I’m Ready! outlines research-based strategies for promoting the following essential building blocks of literacy during shared book reading and everyday conversations: 

• Conversation – As a child engages in conversation, they can draw on their knowledge and experience to make new connections, form new knowledge and build language skills. The better a young child’s conversational skills, the easier it will be for them to understand what they read later on. 
• Vocabulary – The more words a child knows, the easier it is for them to learn new words and to gain meaning from stories. 
• Story comprehension – Understanding not only what is happening in a book, but why it is happening, and being able to read “between the lines” to uncover the author’s intention. 
• Print knowledge – The ability to identify letters, words and symbols on a page and to understand how print works – for example, understanding that print is read from left to right and that letters combine to make words. 
• Phonological awareness – Understanding that words can be broken down into syllables and smaller sounds, and that letters correspond to certain sounds.  

• Memorable, easy-to-follow strategies to support early literacy during everyday activities and book reading.  
• Real-life photo examples of parents using I’m Ready! strategies with children.   
• “Try it Out” checklists to guide parents in planning what they’ll do and reflecting on the child’s progress. 
• List of recommended books for promoting each skill. 
• Print and e-Book formats available