Many families know that reading to their children is important for helping them learn to read. What caregivers may not know is that some important early literacy skills do not always develop naturally from exposure to books and conversations alone. Providing young readers with opportunities to notice and engage with the sounds in words and connect them to letters helps build the foundation that children need to become proficient readers. 

To give caregivers the tools they need to support their children’s early literacy skills, the Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Spark Early Literacy Hub. The resources on this hub are designed specifically for parents and caregivers looking to support young children during their critical pre-reading years. 

Central to the new hub is the launch of the “Supporting Your Child’s Early Word Recognition Skills” eLearning module. The module breaks down key literacy skill-building into simple activities, focusing on developing phonological awareness (i.e., the ability to hear and notice the sounds in spoken language) and letter-sound correspondence knowledge (i.e., the ability to see a letter and connect it to a specific sound). 

To help families integrate these activities into their daily lives, the hub includes a variety of digital and printable resources: 

• The Letter-Sound Spark App: An application that features two interactive activities to support young readers:
  • Letter-Sound Cards: Letter cards featuring embedded visual cues (such as an apple-shaped "a" for the /ă/ sound) where users can tap to hear the correct pronunciation.
  • Letter Match Game: A game where users watch videos detailing a letter's name and sound, then tap the matching shape until all 26 letters are successfully identified.
• "10 Activities to Spark Early Literacy" Booklet: A downloadable collection of simple, quick games and activities compiled from the eLearning module that families can integrate into their daily routines.
• Printable Resources: Isolated versions of the activities and resources from the eLearning module and application are easily accessible on the “Resources and Activities” section of the hub. Plus, find additional downloadables, such as the Letter-Sound Alphabet poster and Letter-Sound Coloring Pages. 

By breaking down the building blocks of early reading into playful experiences, the Spark Early Literacy Hub aims to ensure that children develop the early literacy skills they need to become strong readers. 

Caregivers interested in exploring these resources can access the module, application, and downloadable materials by visiting the Spark Early Literacy Hub on the IRRC website today.