Everyday Play Fuels Love of Reading

When your child builds a tower, talks to a stuffed animal or turns a box into a rocket, they’re doing more than playing. They’re also learning skills that lead to reading success.

For young children, play isn’t separate from learning — play is learning. Through games, puzzles and imagination, kids build language, thinking and social skills. These skills prepare them for reading and writing.

Let’s look at how play connects to literacy:

Dramatic Play Builds Words and Imagination

When kids play grocery store or act out a doctor’s visit, they practice new words and tell simple stories. These activities help them explain, describe and imagine — skills that make reading easier later.
Try this:

Pretend to cook in a play kitchen.

Dress up in old hats, scarves or accessories.

Talk about what your child is pretending.

Puzzles and Games Teach Order and Focus

Sorting, matching and puzzles help kids understand order and patterns. These same skills help with reading stories in order and spotting letter patterns.
Try this:

Work on puzzles together and talk through each step.

Sort socks, buttons or coins by color or size.

Make simple “story cards” with family photos.

Puppets and Toys Encourage Storytelling

When kids give a puppet a voice or send a toy on an adventure, they learn how to tell stories with characters and dialogue.
Try this:

Use socks, paper bags or stuffed animals as puppets.

Ask your child to make up a story.

Take turns being the storyteller and listener.

Pretend Play Builds Confidence and Connection

Pretend play lets kids try out new feelings and roles in a safe way. It helps them understand their own experiences and feel more confident.
Try this: