Lone Cow

I’ve been a youth librarian for decades, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: toddlers learn best when learning feels like play. You don’t need expensive flashcards, a Pinterest-perfect craft closet, or hours of free time (ha!). What you do need is connection, curiosity, and a little willingness to be silly. Here are five everyday ways to nurture your toddler’s literacy skills using the five early literacy practices: Read, Write, Play, Talk, and Sing. These are easy, doable, and best of all—they fit right into real family life (mismatched socks and spilled juice included). 1. Read Together—Every Which Way Reading with toddlers rarely looks like a cozy picture-perfect scene. They squirm, they interrupt, they pick the same book again (and again). That’s part of the magic! Let them choose the book—even if you’ve read it 47 times this week. Make silly sound effects, point to pictures, and ask goofy questions. Keep books in every room (yes, even the bathroom). 💡 Cas...