Discover how early literacy activities like reading, storytelling, and book sharing can shape your child’s success from preschool through high school. Learn why starting early matters — and how simple, everyday interactions can build a lifelong love of learning.

Before children learn to read, they need to understand that words are made up of smaller parts. This skill is called sound awareness, also known as phonological awareness. Sound awareness includes skills like listening for rhymes, hearing two beats in a word like “pan-da,” and recognizing individual sounds in words. When children pay attention to these smaller parts of words, they’re building an important foundation for learning to read and write.

When we think about playing with children, we usually think about the toys involved. But new research suggests that some of the most meaningful and positive interactions between parents and autistic children happen when there are no toys involved at all.

What’s the difference between reading to your child and reading with your child? Find out why reading with your child has a far greater impact on their early literacy development, and learn some strategies you can easily apply the next time you curl up with your child to read.

Your child likely has some favourite toys or play activities. As a parent, you may be wondering whether certain types of toys are better at supporting language and play skills than others. Find out what the research says!