City of Richmond

Early literacy is the cornerstone of a child’s development and long-term academic success. From infancy through age five, a child’s brain forms more than one million neural connections every second, a pace that will never occur again in their lifetime. During this critical window, simple daily interactions with books help strengthen language skills, build vocabulary, and support early comprehension.

Reading with young children also nurtures curiosity, attention, and imagination while strengthening the bond between children and caregivers. These shared reading moments lay the groundwork for kindergarten readiness and help children enter school more confident, engaged, and eager to learn. When we prioritize early literacy, we’re not just encouraging a love of reading — we’re giving children the cognitive, social, and emotional tools they need to thrive.