Early Literacy Activities for Toddlers: 20 Ways to Build Pre-Reading Skills
Written by: Kokotree
Updated:
Quick Answer: The best early literacy activities for toddlers are simple and daily: read aloud together, sing nursery rhymes and the ABC song, point out letters in the environment, and let them “read” picture books independently. Start building these habits at 12 months. By age 3, most children can recognize some letters and understand that print carries meaning—the foundation for later reading success.
Table of contents show
What Is Early Literacy?
Early literacy isn’t teaching toddlers to read—it’s building the foundation skills that make reading possible later. These “pre-reading” skills develop naturally through everyday interactions with language and print.
The six early literacy skills:
Print awareness: Understanding that print carries meaning and how books work
Letter knowledge: Recognizing letters and understanding they represent sounds
Phonological awareness: Hearing and playing with sounds in language (rhyming, syllables)
Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things and concepts
Narrative skills: Understanding and telling stories
Print motivation: Interest in and enjoyment of books and reading
Research shows that children who develop strong early literacy skills before kindergarten have significant advantages in learning to read. And the activities that build these skills are enjoyable for both parent and child.
Reading Aloud Activities
Reading aloud is the single most important activity for developing literacy skills. Children who are read to daily enter school with larger vocabularies, stronger comprehension, and greater interest in reading.
1. Daily Read-Aloud Routine
Establish a consistent reading time—bedtime is classic, but any time works. Even 10-15 minutes daily makes a difference.
Tips for effective read-alouds:
Let your child choose books (builds motivation)
Read the same favorites repeatedly (builds comprehension)
Point to words occasionally (builds print awareness)
Use expressive voices (builds engagement)
Pause to ask questions (builds comprehension and vocabulary)
2. Interactive Reading
Don’t just read—engage. Ask questions, point to pictures, and invite your toddler to participate.
Questions to ask:
“Where is the dog?”
“What do you think will happen next?”
“How do you think the bunny feels?”
“Can you find something blue?”
This dialogic reading style develops vocabulary and comprehension more than passive listening.
3. Wordless Picture Books
Use books with only pictures and let your child “read” by describing what they see or making up the story.
Why it works: Builds narrative skills and shows children that they can be storytellers, not just listeners.
Great wordless books: “Good Night, Gorilla” by Peggy Rathbone, “Pancakes for Breakfast” by Tomie dePaola, “Wave” by Suzy Lee
4. Touch-and-Feel and Interactive Books
Books with textures, flaps, or moveable parts engage toddlers physically with reading.
Why it works: The multisensory experience holds attention longer and creates positive associations with books.
5. Point-to Pictures Books
“First words” style books where you point to and name objects build vocabulary systematically.
How to use them: Point, name, and wait for your child to repeat or point. “Ball. Can you say ball? Where’s the ball?”
Alphabet and Letter Activities
Letter knowledge—recognizing letters and their sounds—is a strong predictor of later reading ability. But for toddlers, focus on making letters familiar and fun, not on drilling.
6. The ABC Song
This classic works. Singing the alphabet song regularly helps children learn letter names and sequence.
Variations:
Sing it slowly, pointing to letters on a chart
Sing it while doing other activities (diaper changes, in the car)
Try different tunes or tempos
7. Alphabet Puzzle
A wooden puzzle with individual letter pieces lets toddlers handle letters physically while learning their shapes.
How to use it: Name each letter as your child picks it up. Don’t quiz—just expose. “You found the B! B is for ball.”
8. Letter Hunt
Hide magnetic letters around a room and let your child hunt for them. Name each letter as they’re found.
Variation: Hunt for one specific letter: “Today we’re finding all the A’s!”
9. Environmental Print
Point out letters in the world: on signs, cereal boxes, clothing, and buildings. This shows that letters appear everywhere—not just in books.
Examples:
“Look, that sign says STOP. S-T-O-P.”
“Your name starts with M! There’s an M on that mailbox!”
“The cereal box says Cheerios. C-H-E-E-R-I-O-S.”
10. Letters in Their Name
Start with the letters in your child’s name—they’re naturally motivating.
Activities:
Spell their name while pointing to letters
Find their name’s first letter in books and signs
Create name puzzles or name-writing practice sheets
Use letter magnets to spell their name on the fridge
11. Alphabet Art
Use alphabet stamps, letter stickers, or draw letters together. The physical act of creating letters builds familiarity.
Why it works: Combines fine motor skill development with letter exposure.
Phonological Awareness Activities
Phonological awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in language—is crucial for later phonics learning. These activities build this skill playfully.
12. Nursery Rhymes
Recite and sing classic nursery rhymes daily. The rhyming patterns train children’s ears to notice sound patterns in words.
Essential rhymes: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Humpty Dumpty,” “Jack and Jill,” “Row Row Row Your Boat”
Why rhyming matters: Children who can identify rhymes have an easier time learning to read because they already understand that words have component sounds.
13. Rhyming Games
Play simple rhyming games once your child understands the concept.
Games to try:
“Cat rhymes with… hat! Mat! Bat!”
“I’m thinking of a word that rhymes with dog…” (let them guess)
Point out rhymes in books: “Moon and spoon rhyme!”
14. Syllable Clapping
Clap out the syllables in words: “Wa-ter-mel-on” (4 claps), “Dog” (1 clap), “Ba-na-na” (3 claps).
Why it works: Teaches children that words can be broken into smaller sound units—a foundational phonics concept.
15. Sound Play
Play with beginning sounds: “B-b-ball. Ball starts with buh. What else starts with buh? B-b-baby! B-b-bear!”
Keep it casual: These aren’t formal lessons—just playful attention to sounds during everyday activities.
Language and Vocabulary Activities
A rich vocabulary makes learning to read easier because children recognize more words when they encounter them in print.
16. Narrate Your Day
Talk to your toddler constantly about what you’re doing, seeing, and thinking.
Examples:
“I’m putting the groceries away. Here’s the milk—it goes in the refrigerator. And here are the apples—let’s count them. One, two, three red apples.”
“Look at that big truck! It’s carrying dirt. The truck is yellow. It has huge wheels.”
Why it works: Toddlers learn vocabulary from hearing words in context, repeatedly.
17. Extend Their Language
When your toddler speaks, expand on what they said.
Child: “Doggy!”
Parent: “Yes, that’s a big brown dog. The dog is running fast. He looks happy.”
Why it works: Models richer vocabulary and sentence structures without correcting them.
18. Category Games
Group objects by category to build conceptual vocabulary.
Examples:
“Let’s find all the things that are food…”
“These are all animals. What animals can you name?”
“What else is round like this ball?”
Storytelling Activities
Narrative skills—understanding story structure and being able to tell stories—support reading comprehension.
19. Story Retelling
After reading a familiar book, ask your child to tell you the story while looking at the pictures.
Prompting questions:
“Who was in this story?”
“What happened first?”
“Then what happened?”
“How did the story end?”
20. Create Stories Together
Make up stories with your toddler. Take turns adding to the narrative or let them lead while you follow.
Story starters:
“Once upon a time, there was a little bunny who…”
Use toys as characters: “What do you think the dinosaur wants to do today?”
Create stories about your child: “One day, [child’s name] went to the park and found a magic…”
Creating a Print-Rich Environment
Surround your child with print to build awareness that written words are everywhere and carry meaning.
Make Books Accessible
Create a book corner or shelf at your child’s level. Let them access books independently—even if they just flip through and “pretend read.”
Label the Environment
Label frequently used items around your home with large, clear words: “DOOR,” “BED,” “TOYS.” Point to and read the labels regularly.
Display Name and Alphabet
Put your child’s name on their door, cubby, or artwork. Display an alphabet poster or chart where they can see it.
Keep Writing Materials Available
Crayons, markers, paper, and chalk let children experiment with making marks—the precursor to writing.
Age-Appropriate Expectations
Early literacy development happens gradually. Here’s what’s typical:
12-18 Months
Enjoys being read to for short periods
Points to pictures in books
May have favorite books they request
Holds books right-side up
18-24 Months
Turns pages (may turn several at once)
Points to and names familiar pictures
Fills in words in familiar stories
Begins to sing simple songs and rhymes
2-3 Years
Listens to longer stories
Pretends to read books independently
Recognizes some letters (especially in their name)
Can retell simple stories
Understands that print conveys meaning
3-4 Years
Recognizes many letters
Understands that reading happens left-to-right
Identifies rhyming words
Writes some letters (name, especially)
“Reads” familiar books from memory
Remember: development varies widely. If you have concerns about your child’s language or literacy development, consult your pediatrician.
How Much Time Should You Spend?
You don’t need hours of structured literacy time. The activities that build early literacy fit naturally into your day.
Daily minimums:
Reading aloud: 15-20 minutes (can be split across the day)
Songs and rhymes: A few songs during transitions or play
Talking: Constant narration of activities (doesn’t require separate time)
The key is consistency, not intensity. A few minutes of engaged reading every single day builds more skill than occasional hour-long sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start early literacy activities?
Start immediately. Reading aloud, talking, and singing to babies from birth builds language foundations. More interactive literacy activities (letter play, rhyming games) typically begin around 18-24 months.
How can I get my toddler to sit still for reading?
Many toddlers won’t sit still—and that’s okay. Let them move, explore, or play while you read. Choose shorter books, interactive formats (flap books, touch-and-feel), and read the same favorites repeatedly. Forced stillness creates negative associations.
Should I teach my toddler to read?
Focus on building pre-reading skills (the activities in this guide) rather than pushing actual reading. Most children aren’t developmentally ready to decode text until ages 4-6. Premature pressure can backfire and reduce motivation.
How do I know if my toddler has a reading delay?
Early literacy develops at different rates. However, consult your pediatrician if your 2-year-old shows no interest in books, doesn’t respond to their name, has very limited vocabulary, or doesn’t seem to understand simple directions.
Can too much screen time hurt literacy development?
Screens used excessively can displace reading time and conversation—both crucial for literacy. However, high-quality educational apps used in moderation can support learning. Balance is key. See our guide on screen time for toddlers.
What if my toddler only wants to read the same book?
This is normal and beneficial. Repetition builds comprehension and vocabulary. Children get something new from each reading. Keep reading their favorites while occasionally introducing new titles.
Do I need to buy special materials for literacy activities?
No. The best literacy activities (reading aloud, talking, singing) require no special materials. Letters are everywhere in your environment. Library books are free. Expensive learning toys aren’t necessary.
My toddler isn’t interested in books. What should I do?
Try different book formats (board books, flap books, touch-and-feel), connect books to their interests, keep reading sessions short, and don’t force it. Model reading enjoyment yourself. Some children take longer to develop book interest.
Laying the Foundation for a Lifetime of Reading
Every nursery rhyme you sing, every book you read aloud, every letter you point out—these small moments build the neural pathways your child needs to become a reader.
You’re not teaching reading; you’re nurturing a reader. There’s a difference. Teaching reading is mechanical—letter sounds, decoding rules. Nurturing a reader means building vocabulary, fostering curiosity, creating positive associations with books, and showing that reading is valuable and enjoyable.
The toddler years are for falling in love with stories, developing rich language, and becoming familiar with the building blocks of print. The technical reading will come later, and when it does, these foundations will make it easier.
For more activities that support your child’s development, explore our guides on phonics for kids, sensory play ideas, and toddler development. And for app-based learning that complements reading activities, check out the Kokotree app—designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers.
