Vocabulary development starts early, before children learn to read. Learn the differences between the types of vocabulary, and activities families can do at home to foster a child’s vocabulary.Learn More

Ever wonder what cats really get up to? Wouldn’t it be great to overhear their conversations This delightful picture book lets you in on their secrets! Learn More Here

The animals find their water is becoming dirty and smelly and the fish are dying. What will they do? A cute beautifully illustrated story for young children with lots of fun sound effects. Learn More Here

Recess – A very short picture book about play time at school, with a values based theme. The simple text conveys an important lesson, and phrases are provided on each page in both Spanish and English for bilingual children. Suitable for very young children and learning to read age.Learn More Here

This book is a bilingual Spanish-English version of the popular nature theme picture book by Rebecca Bielawski, Bees Like Flowers, available on our home page. We hope you enjoy it!  Learn More Here

The classic poem of Clement Clarke Moore is set to imaginative images, creating some differences and diversity to the tale. Learn More Here

Learning to read is difficult and does not happen naturally. It requires explicit and systematic instruction, which is especially important for struggling readers. Here is an overview of how children typically learn to read, and a checklist of warning signs that parents can use to measure their progress. Learn More Here

Families and educators can work together to ensure children have successful literacy experiences in and out of school, which is especially important if children have reading difficulties. Children with reading difficulties have specific instructional needs that are best addressed with a comprehensive approach to literacy development that includes supports at school and home.  Learn More Here

Dyslexia can manifest differently depending on a child’s age and stage of reading development. Early identification is critical to provide effective support and intervention. Learn More

The Supporting Literacy at Home Guides in English and Spanish provides parents with suggestions for supporting their children's literacy development at home, through a culturally and linguistically responsive approach to shared reading. Parents and family members are encouraged to engage in interactive reading and discussion in Spanish and/or English and their funds of knowledge are tapped by connecting the text to the…

Every child’s literacy journey is unique, and as a family member, you know your child best and have seen their skills develop over time. By embracing your role as an advocate and partnering with your child’s school, you can work toward common goals that ensure their literacy needs are understood and supported. Learn More

Engaging in literacy activities at home can help develop your child’s reading ability, comprehension and language skills, and improve your child’s interest in reading, attitude toward reading, and focus.Learn More

In a magical land, a curious boy named Mika meets Ali—a legendary puffball who’s lost, far from home. Determined to help, Mika joins forces with a talking pony named Scout – together they set off on a whimsical journey through woodland forests, one very hot desert, and a charming sand palace. Learn More Here

A cute rhyming halloween story for young children with beautiful imagery and some recipes at the end. Available in pdf and in editable .odg format and using the open dyslexic font. Learn More Here

The Monster is a simple book about a boy Sam who has depression, told by his younger sister. This is not only a lovely story but a great way to explain depression to children suffering, their friends and family, or to help all children become sensitised about mental health issues. Learn More Here

Crocodile is hit on the head by a shoe while dozing. He goes on a quest to find the owner of the shoe, but will people be honest with him, and will he be honest with others?  Learn More Here

A short fable about how Turtle’s shell came to look like it is cracked for kindergarten and early grades including activity pages. Learn More Here

Binti is full of energy and knows what she wants. But today is a special day for another reason. Find out more in this charming story for early grades. Sample Page from Binti Knows Her Mind <Page 7 of 16> Author: Richa Jha Illustrator: Learn More Here

In this Mustard Seed book, one learns two new nouns with a similar verb phrase, perfect for early readers, and also lots of fun for toddlers learning about different animals.Learn More Here

Dragonfly wishes he could join Butterfly in her beautiful song, but he has lost his violin. Butterfly has an idea to get it back, but Dragonfly doesn’t always see the logic. Will the hard work pay off? A cute, fun story for emerging readers. Learn More Here

Bow Meow Wow a fun and action packed wordless picture book from Pratham Books. Perfect for pet lovers, here we see cat and dog chasing each other while ending up covered in paint, but the result might not be better than expected. This is a Level 1 picture book perfect for very young children.Learn More Here

Join Ellissa Schwartz for Read Out Loud and her Mom’s Choice Award-winning picture book, THIS DAY I HOLD DEAR. Don’t miss this sweet and poignant reminder of the importance of being present with your family as you share precious time together, told through rhymes and messages of love and care. Learn More Here

A free biology ebook for early grades by BookBot Kids. Learn More Here

Lwando’s sister Oyiso is sometimes very cute, but sometimes she is a monster! Can Lwando tame the monster? Find out in this beautifully illustrated book from BookDash. Sample Page from How to Tame a Monster <End of Page 2 of 24> Download or read online the full free children’s ebook Learn More Here

Wordless picture books build literacy by encouraging creativity, language skills, and critical thinking—no reading level required! They spark imagination, grow vocabulary, boost comprehension, and inspire a love of reading. Talk about the pictures, ask questions, tell stories, act them out, write them down, and create art together. I Can Dress Myself Lefa's Bath

Leo wants to play outside, but then he falls and hurts his arm. This story tells children and parents, step by step, how to treat cuts and scrapes to prevent infection. Throughout the pages of our book, children will join Leo and his mom as they discuss the importance of bandages. Through his story, they’ll learn … Learn More Here

When Lady is brought home from the animal shelter, she feels overwhelmed by the busy world around her, full of unfamiliar dogs, people, sounds, and smells. She doesn’t know what to do with her big feelings! But with love and patience from her human, April, Lady learns tricks to help her feel safe, and even makes … Read More Here

The animals take turns at watching out for humans at night, but when Owl gets caught by a small boy what does he do? Will this action shape his future? Moral always behave how you want others to see you, even if you are afraid, then you will never be ashamed. Learn more here

Read this short document for questions you can ask a child before, during, and after reading fiction books. Learn more here

As the holiday season approaches, snuggle up with your little ones and share the magic ofClement C. Moore’s classic poem, TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS lovingly read by KidLit TV’sRocco Staino on this special episode of Read Out Loud. Learn More Here

Become a part of the pack! Join young author Amelie Anastasia for Read Out Loud as she shares her new adventure in the forest, WOLF TALES. Howl along as young wolf pups, Lavender and Leaf meet new friends and discover the wonders — and dangers — of life in the wild. Learn More Here

There isn’t a second to lose! One of Santa’s reindeer has gone missing. Everyone knows Santa needs EIGHT reindeer to pull his sleigh. If Santa and the other seven can’t find Prancer, there may never be another Christmas! Find out where Prancer has gone on this holiday episode of Read Out Loud as Rocco reads the picture book classic, WHERE’S PRANCER by…

Multisyllable words are words that have more than one syllable—words like institution, happiness, and together. Those words all have more than one syllable. They’re multisyllable words. And there’s one thing that you need to know. Every syllable has one vowel sound. Let’s take a look.Learn More

Where to find the front and back of a book, and the top and bottom of a page, are all part of “print knowledge.” Children learning to read use that knowledge to figure out where words and sentences begin and end. This video explains “print knowledge” and why it’s important, from literacy experts at the Crane Center for Early Childhood…

New Changes to Ohio’s Dyslexia Support LawsHouse Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly included several important updates to Ohio’s dyslexia support laws.Learn More

Families in Ohio now have the option to receive a 100% bilingual English/ Spanish Imagination Library book collection. The option is available to all children from birth to age five in Ohio! Learn More here

The ability to read is the foundation of learning. Research shows that children who are not reading at a third-grade level by the end of grade 3 are likely to have trouble learning in all classroom subjects in higher grades.  Learn more here.

Did you know there are simple tips you can use when you read together?These tips are for every adult who shares the joy of reading with a child. They are based on best practices and can be used with any books that you have. Learn More

We know learning never stops, and reading is a wonderful way for your family to continue to learn and have fun during summer break. Our staff loves reading individually and with our families. Did you know that reading with your children over the summer can help them prevent losing their reading skills? One study from Harvard found that reading with…

Find everything you need for the greatest show in the solar system! Explore the fascinating astrophysics of eclipses with astronaut Steve Bowen. Ever wonder why we don’t have an eclipse every month? What are the odds that the Moon perfectly covers the sun? Astrophysics is even more fascinating than fiction! We are excited to offer two age-appropriate book readings and one on-orbit science…

Most of you read books with your kids. This video shows you how to use book read-alouds to build vocabulary and learning. Choose a book, predict what the book is about, talk about vocabulary, and enjoy your reading time! Hosted by Letti Grimaldo and Shannon Giroir. Learn more here

When we are learning a language, we do not segment academic and language information separately in our brains. Instead, we use our knowledge as an integral system to communicate with others and learn new content. In this set of activities, parents can find ways to help their children practice English and home languages while learning academic content.  Parents/caregivers: When you click…

Project ELITE developed a bookmark that presents a routine for parents to use with their children, based on the PK–3 read-aloud system. The parent and family guide is similar to the steps designed for teacher-led text reading but is modified for a simple and fun way to support literacy and family bonding through book reading. The bookmark guides parents in…

Our Center partnered with the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio families, and educators to develop sample communication tools and guidance for schools related to Ohio’s Dyslexia Laws. These resources are aligned with Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook for schools, and can be copied/adapted for local use. Learn More Here

What is dyslexia?Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities. People with dyslexia have many strengths, but have unexpected trouble learning to read. These difficulties are not related to a person’s intelligence or motivation. Children with dyslexia can learn to read. Families, early childhood teachers, or kindergarten teachers are often the first to notice children having difficulty with talking…

At Unite for Literacy, we picture a world where all children have access to an abundance of books that celebrate their languages and cultures and cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Unite for Literacy has developed the platform, publishing tools, and systems-based strategies that support our public and private sector partners to change the literacy landscape of their communities and…

Explore our Games and Storybooks. Help incorporate playful learning into your child’s early education through different kinds of games, storybooks, and interactives that will keep them curious, confident, and excited to explore more. Learn More

ALL Ohio (Advancing Literacy Learning in Ohio) is a compilation of high-quality professional learning resources for Ohio’s P20 education system. ALL Ohio serves as a tool to strengthen educators’ knowledge and skills in evidence-based language and literacy practices grounded in the science of reading. Learn More

Animal Walks are simple and fun exercises that invite children to use their imagination tomove their bodies to copy animals. They are an easy way to get a quick dose of gross motorplay into your child’s day. These tasks get kids moving and active and allow them to releaseenergy. Many of these movements develop core strength, balance, and agility which…

There are a number of things parents and caregivers can do to support the development of their child’s early literacy skills. Among them are five simple practices: singing, talking, reading, writing and playing. Promoted by the Every Child Ready to Read initiative, I love these practices for two reasons: they’re doable for parents and caregivers and they can be adapted to…

Fall is on its way, and it's time for the school year to begin — and not just for kids, but for parents and teachers, too. Parents can help their young children become acclimated to the newness of school and ease their older kids back into familiar school-day routines. If you're a teacher — whether a novice or an old…

Research shows that students can maintain or improve reading skills when they are out of school for the summer.Access to books over the summer increases reading opportunities and enjoyment of books, and helps students be ready for next school year.Students who read at least five books during the summer can maintain important literacy skills. Read full article here

Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook is available now. As required by Ohio law, Ohio’s Dyslexia Guidebook contains best practices and methods for universal screening, intervention and remediation for children with dyslexia or children displaying dyslexic characteristics and tendencies. Districts and schools should use the guidebook to access critical information for successful implementation of Ohio's dyslexia support laws. Read more on Dyslexia Supports here

What we know about beginning readers Children progress as readers at different rates, but they pass through predictable stages of development. For typically-developing readers, the stages of reading can be mapped onto grade levels, but as a homeschool teacher you have the advantage of being able to provide the instruction your children need, regardless of their grade. Read full article here

At Reading Partners we know the learning doesn’t begin and end in the classroom. Research shows that family involvement is the number one predictor of early literacy success and future academic achievement. We encourage family members to read at home with their kids every day and stay involved in their children’s educational experience. We want parents, guardians, and other relatives…

At a Glance Audiobooks and digital text-to-speech books can be a good way to help kids with reading issues.You can get these books for free from libraries, schools, and online sources like Bookshare.Talk to your school and local library about what’s available for your child. Read full article here.

Summer is the perfect time for children to relax, read, and get swept away to places near and far. Together, we can combat the summer reading slide and keep our nation’s children reading and thriving. RIF offers a variety of resources and activities to engage young readers all summer long. Read full article here.

What are interactive read alouds? Research suggests the most effective read alouds happen when children ask and answer questions about the text, instead of just listening to the story—this is what’s called an Interactive Read Aloud (IRA). According to McGee and Schickedanzk (2007), the kind of talk that occurs is important too, and analytic talk is the most effective kind during an IRA. Two examples of analytic talk…

There are a few ways kids in pre-K and kindergarten can get ready to read. One way is by noticing and playing with the words, rhymes, and syllables they hear in everyday speech. This called  phonological awareness . Kids also start to tune in to the individual sounds or phonemes in words. This is called phonemic awareness. The more you can build…

with dinnertime storytelling, family conversation, and books about food. Regular family dinner may be a more powerful vocabulary-builder for young kids than reading. Read the full article here.

Unite for Literacy projects build home libraries and support families to develop a daily habit of reading, both of which are key factors in growing lifelong readers. Read together and listen to books of your choice in a variety of languages. Start Reading Today!

How Parents Can Instill Reading. Parents often ask how they can help their children learn to read; and it’s no wonder that they’re interested in this essential skill. Reading plays an important role in later school success.  Parents often ask how they can help their children learn to read; and it’s no wonder that they’re interested in this essential skill. Reading plays…

The Million Word Gap- That’s how many fewer words some children may hear by kindergarten. Young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. Million Word Gap Article

As a parent, you can help your child want to learn in a way no one else can. That desire to learn is a key to your child’s later success. Enjoyment is important! So, if you and your child don’t enjoy one activity, move on to another. You can always return to any activity later on. Helping Your Child Become…

Reading Rockets is a site well loved by educators and parents. Reading Tips for Parents- (Available in multiple languages and tips for parents of children with disabilities) How to Choose Read Aloud Books: Babies to Third Graders- read aloud to preschoolers      

Early literacy is what kids know about reading and writing before they can actually read or write. You are your child’s first teacher and preparing them to read can be easy and fun - whether you’re at home or on the go. Five of the best ways to prepare your child to read are talking, singing, reading, writing and playing. It's…

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.) CDC Developmental MilestonesSome ideas you will find here. 3 years4 years5 years

That magical breakthrough moment — when your child shows an interest in letters, and begins to make out words on a page or in the world itself — happens at different ages for different children, even within the same family. Most parents describe a long period in which a child can’t keep letters straight or identify words, then a quick…

Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers, this booklet is for you. It gives ideas for playing, talking, and reading with your child that will help him* become a good reader and writer later in life. A Child Becomes a Reader for Parents Birth through Preschool (Pages 11-16)

A language rich environment is one in which children are surrounded by talking, singing, and reading and have many opportunities throughout their day, across all activities, to communicate with others and engage in back-and-forth conversations. A rich language environment is important to children’s early learning, and can have strong effects on early language, vocabulary, reading, and math skills, as well…

There are lots of ways that you can help your children learn to read!  From the time that they are babies to the time that they are in high school, there are many little steps you can take along the way — rhyming  and singing songs, reading out loud, sounding out letters, going to the library, and reading books together in your…

Learning to read is difficult. While spoken language develops in most cases naturally, reading requires explicit, systematic instruction. This page from The National Center on Improving Literacy, describes typical reading development from emergent through fluent reading. Sometimes we have concerns. This article offers a quick overview of the skills to look for and what to do if the child in your life seems…

Basic listening skills and “word awareness” are critical precursors to phonological awareness. Learn the milestones for acquiring phonological skills. This page helps parents to understand the importance of developmental phonological skills through easy to understand definitions. There is also a table which notes the age where 80 to 90 percent of typical students have achieved each phonological skill. Teaching Reading -…

Success in school starts with reading.  When children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. Learning to read is hard work for children. Put Reading First - Parent Guide

Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disability that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read. For individuals with dyslexia, specific portions of the brain typically associated with important reading processes may not function in the same ways that they do in individuals without dyslexia. Individuals with dyslexia often have difficulty with phonological processing, spelling, or rapid visual-verbal responding. Importantly, dyslexia is…

The purpose of the Family and Community Toolbox is to provide resources in order to build upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within a child’s daily routine in the home and community. The resources contained in this toolbox provide encouragement to families and caregivers in supporting the early language and literacy development of children in their care. Family and…

These resources are for parents and caregivers—including book recommendations, posters, parent tip sheets, social media posts, and more—all designed to build children’s early brain and language development through talking, reading, and singing. Talking is Teaching Content Bundles

Active, involved parents are an essential resource for Ohio’s schools in making the most of every child’s educational experience, from pre-kindergarten all the way through high school. This page has information you can use to help guide your child’s education. My Child is in…Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, etc.