Crayons, paintbrushes or plastic cups, it’s all about the right tools. Throughout the early years it’s important to give children access to a range of activities and materials that develop early literacy skills. This doesn't always mean reading books, it also includes play-based activities.

Materials to use

You don’t have to provide expensive items or purchase new things. Simple things such as crayons, paintbrushes, pencils or chalk are excellent for developing fine motor control and practising early writing skills. 

Ideas to try

For a mess-free idea, wet a paintbrush with water and let your child ‘paint the fence’.

Talk to your child about what they’ve drawn or what they are doing. Ask them to describe their picture.

When you help out, let them see you writing their ‘story’. They might like to try writing some words as well.