Learning to read starts long before a child recognises letters.
In the toddler years, literacy is about listening, noticing, remembering and enjoying books. When you understand early literacy milestones, you can support your child gently and confidently, without pressure.
This page sits within our wider guide to
Early Literacy Skills, where we break down every stage in simple, practical ways.
Literacy milestones are small signs that your child is building the foundations for reading and writing.
They are not tests.
They are gentle indicators of growing skills like listening, attention, memory and word awareness.
In the early years, literacy is closely linked to:
- Speech and language development
- Attention and concentration
- Understanding how books work
- Recognising sounds and rhythms
If you have not already, it helps to read about
Pre-Reading Skills in Toddlers, as these are the building blocks behind every milestone.
