Raising Readers What is early literacy? Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Reasearch shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. Early literacy is a baby who chews on a book, a toddler who wants his favorite book read over and over, and a preschooler who "reads" the story to you from memory. Parents and caregivers who read to infants and young children are well on their way to raising readers. Recent research has shown that these early reading and language experiences help children in building the important 6 early literacy skills. In addition, children who are read to regularly are more likely to succeed when they learn to read in school. This program is divided into 3 age groups and give information and ideas on what you can do in Raising Readers. Babies  Birth to Two Years Old Toddlers  Two and Three Year Olds Preschoolers  Four and Five Year Olds At McMinnville Public Library we are dedicated to helping you in raising your own readers so please join us for storytimes or for more information about early literacy and names of books to read to your child please contact the Children's Room at 503-435-5559 or email Diana Anderson, Children's Librarian.