Welcome! We hope you find inspiration, ideas and most of all, the joy of learning to read and write in the activities on our literacy pages.

Our aim is to make it fun for children to learn to read and write. Please remember that the most important part of your placement is the positive relationship you have with your child.

So, where to start? Language starts with speaking.

You may remember this slide from your training to be a Pyjama Angel:

We need to ensure that a child’s oral language skills are developed if we want to help them with reading and writing. If your child is older and struggling with reading, speaking with them as often as possible can be the best way to help them develop their reading skills, especially comprehension.

Talking and play for toddlers (1-3 years)

What to expect about toddler talking and how to encourage the mastering of language.

Foolproof strategies for getting kids to talk

These 10 steps can be used to encourage open and maintain regular communication with your child.

Age-by-age guide to getting your kid to talk to you

Helpful tips to kick-start the conversation with children at any age.

The ‘Big Four‘ components of effective preschool literacy development are:

1. Print Awareness
2. Oral Language Development
3. Phonological Awareness
4. Alphabetic Principle

To learn more about each components, check out the resources linked below.

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Print awareness: an introduction

Print awareness is a child’s earliest introduction to literacy.

Print awareness: why is it important?

Uncover the link between print awareness and a child’s level of literacy development.

Print awareness: concepts of print

The awareness of how print works including emerging knowledge about books, print, and written language.

Oral language development: an introduction  

Oral language development consists of much more than vocabulary.

Phonological awareness: an introduction

Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize the variety of sound units that make up words.

Alphabetic principle: an introduction

Alphabetic principle refers to the understanding that words are made up of sounds that are represented by letter.

Alphabetic principle: why is it important?

Children’s knowledge of letter names and shapes is a strong predictor of their success in learning to read.

The skills and cognitive development necessary to comprehend speech are similar to what is needed to understand what you are reading. So, we can help a child to be a better reader by asking “the right kind of questions” when we are talking to them.

The Pyjama Foundation recommends that Pyjama Angels use Blank’s 4 levels of questioning at appropriate times when working with their young person. For example, when cooking; reading a book; looking at photos, pictures or illustrations; or even discussing the young person’s favourite computer game.

See our guide to Blank’s 4 levels of questioning here.

Try this website for further details: wisewordsaustralia.com.au/levels-of-questioning

• twinkl features free resources, including a specific tailored ‘Australian Resources’ section
• Studyladder is an online literacy and mathematics learning tool for students
• Search a specific topic on Pinterest to access millions of literacy resources and activity ideas