Research & Rationale

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Research & Rationale

Emergent literacy is not only the foundation for essential literacy skills, but also the beginning of a child's journey towards a lifelong love of reading. The resources found here underscore the importance of this work.

Booklists & Blogs

How to select the best books for babies: 0-7 Months

This RIF blog shares recommendations for selecting books for infants birth- seven months.

How to select the best books for babies: 7-12 Months

This RIF blog shares recommendations for selecting books for infants seven-twelve months.

Creating a Playful, Literacy-Rich Preschool Environment

In this NAEYC blog, former preschool teachers offer tips on how to create a learning environment that supports literacy development in preschool.

From Set-up to Clean-up

From lists of dramatic play ideas to storage tips, this blog by Play To Learn Preschool offers great tips to get you started.

Promoting Preschoolers’ Emergent Writing

This NAEYC blog shares the stages of emergent writing and provides tips for home and school.

Reports & Articles

Father and Toddler Language During Shared Book Reading with Text-Based and Wordless Picture Books

This Reading Research Quarterly article highlights research on father-child shared book reading using wordless picture books.

Singing in Preschool Promotes Literacy Development

Through this article from The Reading Teacher, educators learn the ways that singing using a shared text supports the development of concepts about print as well as social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Motivate and Engage Our Youngest Writers

This article from The Reading Teacher explores ways to motivate and engage emergent writers.

Ready for Read-Alouds: 10 Practices for Book-Sharing with Infants and Toddlers

This article from The Reading Teacher shares 10 practices for enriching read-alouds with infants and toddlers.

Bias Starts Early. Let's Start Now: Developing an Anti-Racist, Anti-Bias Book Collection for Infants and Toddlers

This article from The Reading Teacher explores ways that educators can curate a classroom library that promotes anti-racism and anti-bias while supporting emergent literacy among infants and toddlers.