Did you know that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help children achieve academic success?

Early exposure to reading aloud has such a long-term influence on children’s outcomes that pediatricians in the United States are now required to “prescribe” reading to parents of all babies from birth! Reading aloud is in itself extremely beneficial for kids of all ages, but research shows that there are things you can do at home to support early literacy even more as you read. Here are some practical, evidence-based tips for supporting literacy from infancy through school age.

Is learning to read earlier better?

We live in a competitive society that rewards being first and best — and this mentality is deeply ingrained in most of us. No matter how often we tell ourselves that each child is unique and will grow at their own pace, it’s natural for us to feel proud and excited when our children hit milestones “early” or excel in certain areas — and to feel concerned when our kids are “late.”

In the absence of schooling or childcare-as-usual, books in the home serve as essential teaching tools.

Reading aloud is also an easy way to carve out quality time together. So how can we make sure that kids love reading — from birth? It’s surprisingly easy, and you might be pleased to discover you’re doing many of these things already.

If there’s one thing we all wish we could give the children in our lives during this unusual time, it’s joy.

With many of their favorite activities on hold and restricted from seeing friends, stir-crazy kids are nearly desperate for fun things to do. And guilt-ridden, exhausted parents are searching for screen-free ways to keep children of all ages safely occupied.

That’s why we’ve created the Barefoot Book Box*, the new monthly subscription for children from birth to 9 years old: a colorful ray of hope for stressed out families.

No matter what your local situation or personal circumstances, one thing is certain: learning looks different now.

There are no easy answers, but maybe the need to do things differently has a silver lining. With fewer scheduled activities, children have more opportunities for long periods of uninterrupted play—and for meaningful, hands-on learning. What if, in these times, there is actually more room for joy in learning?

Reading aloud together may be a daily activity in your family, but did you know that a single book has the potential to become a whole lot more?

Book extensions, as they are called in the world of early childhood education, are activities that help bring a book to life. Book extensions can be art projects, science experiments, movement games — anything that gives children the opportunity to explore the themes and concepts of a book. The options are nearly endless!