This document outlines the significance of early literacy from ages 0-3, emphasizing that early literacy skills are foundational for future reading and writing. It highlights that early literacy is about fostering pre-reading and pre-writing abilities through rich interactions with books, rather than direct instruction. The document further details the various early literacy behaviors exhibited by infants and toddlers as they engage with books and stories.

1. It all begins in the Early Years Why running an Early Literacy Program makes a difference PART 1: 0-3 year-olds

2. First things first: Early Literacy refers to the abilities, the knowledge and the attitudes prior to and paving the way to conventional writing and reading.

3. Early Literacy What is it?

4. Why Early Literacy Skills: Children´s early attempts at reading and writing will develop certain behaviors which will definitely support their future literacy life. Consequently, kindergarten literacy contributions are essential in students´academic growth.

5. Laying the foundation for Reading and Writing The implementation of an Early Literacy Program does not involve teaching preschoolers and kindergartners how to read and write. Early Literacy refers to the pre-reading and pre-writing skills that pave the way for actual reading and writing.

6. What We Know About Early Language and Literacy Development Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child's earliest experiences with books and stories.

7. Early Literacy Does Not Mean Early Reading Early literacy theory emphasizes the more natural unfolding of skills through the enjoyment of books, the importance of positive interactions between young children and adults, and the critical role of literacy-rich experiences.

8. What Infants and Toddlers Can Do - Early Literacy Behaviors Book Handling Behaviors : - Behaviors related to a child's physical manipulation or - H andling of books, such as page turning and chewing.

9. More... Looking and Recognizing : - Behaviors related to how children pay attention to and interact with pictures in books, such as gazing at pictures or laughing at a favorite picture. Behaviors that show recognition of and a beginning understanding of pictures in books, such as pointing to pictures of familiar objects.

10. And more... Picture and Story Comprehension : - Behaviors that show a child's understanding of pictures and events in a book, such as imitating an action seen in a picture or talking about the events in a story.

11. And more... Story-Reading Behaviors : - Behaviors that include children's verbal interactions with books and their increasing understanding of print in books, such as babbling in imitation of reading or running fingers along printed words.