Every Page Counts. Every Moment Matters.
Help your child build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning – starting with a story today.
Early literacy is more than just learning letters. It’s about brain development, bonding and setting up your child for lifelong success. By age five, 90% of a child’s brain has already developed. That’s why the first five years are critical for building language skills, emotional connection and a love of learning.
Building Strong Readers from the Start
From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time in life. In these early years, everyday moments — like talking, singing, playing and reading — help build the foundation for language, learning and future reading success.
The Science of Reading is a growing body of research from education, psychology, linguistics and neuroscience. It shows that reading isn’t a skill we’re born with — it must be taught and the groundwork starts early. Long before children can read on their own, they’re developing the brain connections that support language, memory and understanding. Skills like recognizing sounds, noticing patterns and making meaning from words begin through everyday experiences.
This guide below will help you support your child’s growth at every stage. Every child develops at their own pace and the small moments you share — whether it’s over breakfast, during bath time or at bedtime — make a big difference.
Smart Starts
Word Exposure Before Kindergarten
Children who hear more than 20,000 words a day are better prepared for school. Everyday talking, reading and singing build vocabulary and comprehension.
Celebrity Read-Alouds
Join some of Indiana’s favorite celebrities as they share the joy of reading with your family. Find a cozy spot, grab your favorite blanket and settle in for stories that inspire a love of books. We’ll be adding new celebrity readers regularly—so check back often for the next great storytime!
Avery Gordon, basketball player at Purdue University, reads Love You Forever
Pilar Bravo, Indiana State Fair Queen reads Gregory Goose is on the Loose at the Fair.
Stu Smith is a football player for Purdue University. Listen as he reads The Gruffalo.
Stu Smith is a redshirt sophomore on the Purdue University Football team. Listen as he reads The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Everyday Story Magic
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Bath Time Books
Make storytime part of your child’s bath routine! Choose water-safe books and let splashing become part of the fun while you read together.
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Grocery Store Games
Turn shopping into a learning adventure! Hunt for the letter “B” on signs and boxes—or choose any letter or number—and see how many your child can spot.
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Story Mix-Ups
Get creative by swapping characters from different books to make silly new stories. What happens when the Big Bad Wolf visits Goodnight Moon?
Resources
Discover more ways to spark a love of reading! Explore trusted programs, online storytimes and your local library for even more books, stories and inspiration to share with your family.
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Visit Your Local LibraryFind your local branch using the Indiana Public Library Directory
Your local library is a treasure chest of free early literacy programs. Visit, borrow, and explore!
Your local library is packed with free resources for families:
- Storytimes for babies and toddlers
- Reading programs like “Read to a Dog”
- Help getting your own free library card
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Dolly Parton's Imagination LibraryImagination Library of Indiana
Get free books mailed to your home every month—from birth to age five!
Enroll your child in this amazing, no-cost program to build your home library and support early literacy.
Learn more and sign up:
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Storyline OnlineVisit Storyline Online
Watch books come to life with this free video library of children's stories read by celebrated actors. Perfect for car rides, quiet time or when your voice needs a break!
- Supports early comprehension and vocabulary
- Encourages a love of books through storytelling
- Available 24/7 at no cost
Explore the library:
Blogs
Literacy
Five Ways to Boost Early Reading — With or Without a Book
Literacy
Free Books For Kids: All About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Indiana
Literacy
What to Expect on Your Child’s Literacy Journey
Literacy
Literacy Matters: How to Choose a Program that Builds Early Reading Skills
Literacy
Building Brains from Birth, One Story at a Time
Literacy
Everyday Play Fuels Love of Reading
Literacy
Why is Early Childhood Literacy Important?
Smart Starts
Science of Reading
Strong readers grow through sound recognition, pattern noticing and language understanding—not just letter practice.