Free Resources
Parent Workshop Resources
How we read to preschoolers is important. The following videos were designed to support Future Ready Five’s Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative (KRC) virtual parent workshops, but are available to all for free.
Dialogic Reading
How we read to preschoolers is important. Dialogic reading encourages the child to be the story teller. Children learn most from books when they are actively involved. This is a child-focused way of reading aloud that encourages children to discuss the book before, during and after it is read out loud.
We also created the Dialogic Activities Kit, designed to enhance oral language and reading comprehension skills by actively participating in discussions about the story. You can even download and print selected pages to fit your needs at home! Click Here to Download
Rhyming Words
Phonemic Awareness is the ability to hear, identify and play with sounds in words. It helps kids to learn to read and spell. Rhyming is a fun and important way to build this skill early!
We also created these Rhyming Word Flashcards so that you can play concentration, matching, and other fast and fun games with your child at home or on the go. Click Here to Download
Oral Language (Phonemic Awareness)
Phonemic Awareness is the ability to use and understand spoken words, a key foundation of literacy. Developing oral language helps kids communicate, learn new words, and prepare for reading and writing.
Oral language is about more than just talking—it includes listening, understanding, and using words. Strong oral language skills set the stage for success in reading and overall communication. Preschoolers with strong oral language skills tend to have an easier time learning to read and express themselves clearly.
Children learn new words every day by listening and interacting with you! Whether it’s during storytime, in conversations, or while playing, every word helps build their language foundation.
We created these Vocabulary Flashcards for you to download and print so that you can play and practice with your child at home or on the go! Click Here to Download
Letter SoundsÂ
Letter sound knowledge is essential for early literacy. When children understand, and use letter sounds correctly, it helps them decode and build words. Mnemonic tools, like flashcards, make learning these sounds more engaging and memorable.
We have printed Letter Sound Mnemonic Flashcards for the parents in our program to practice with your child at home or on the go! Contact your teacher or school to reserve a set. Or, if you would like to print them at home, Click Here to Download
For a fun and quick video showing all of the letter sounds, Click Here to watch on YouTube.
Building Print Awareness through Read-Alouds
Print Awareness is a child’s understanding of four concepts: where to begin reading on a page; how text moves from left to right, top to bottom; the difference between a letter, a word, and a sentence; and how pictures and text serve different purposes.
In this virtual workshop video, our KRC coordinator, Stephanie Davis, offers insight into this topic, and provides practical tools for building your child’s early literacy skills.
Before you begin this video, be sure to grab one of your child’s favorite books to practice along with Stephanie!
Language & Literacy Milestones
Developing oral language helps kids communicate, learn new words, and prepare for reading and writing.
Our Developmental Milestones for Language and Literacy will help you track your child’s progress toward kindergarten readiness throughout the first five years in six month increments. These resource guides align state standards and milestones with practical examples so families can support their child’s future success.
*The standards referenced in the documents provided below expand upon the areas of language, reading, and writing from the 2022 Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards.
0-6 months
During the first six months of life, infants undergo rapid developmental changes as they learn to adapt and interact with their environment. They will begin to communicate through cooing, babbling, and making facial expressions. Infants develop social skills by engaging in eye contact and responding to people around them. These developmental milestones provide a foundation for future growth and learning.
6-12 months
Children will begin to achieve important milestones in their physical, cognitive, and social development. In terms of Language & Literacy, they start to understand cause and effect, recognize familiar faces and objects, and communicate through babbling and other sounds. Monitoring these developmental standards can ensure a child is growing and developing in a healthy and ageappropriate way.
12-18 months
Children are at an exciting stage of development during this time. A child in this age range may achieve walking independently, saying their first words, and engaging in more complex play activities. It is important for caregivers to be aware of these milestones so that they can provide appropriate support and encouragement to help children reach their full potential.
18-24 months
Children in this age range continue to make significant strides. During this stage, there are important language developments as children begin to understand and use a wide range of words and phrases to communicate with those around them.
24-36 months
At this stage, children are curious and eager to learn. They have an increased ability to understand and use language to communicate more effectively. Social and emotional development is also an important aspect of this phase. They become more aware of their emotions and learn to express themselves verbally.
36-48 months
Between the ages of 36 and 48 months, children become more imaginative and creative. They enjoy pretend play and can create their own stories. They also have a better memory and can recall events from the past more easily. Their vocabulary continues to expand, and they can form more complex sentences.
48-60 months
At this time, children continue to undergo great developmental changes. Your child will become more inquisitive. They ask a lot of questions and want to explore the world around them. They can count, recognize letters, and read simple words. This concludes the developmental continuum for 0 to 5 years old as defined by the OELDS.