Opportunities for parents to encourage the natural development of the child are endless. Infants learn to speak through observing others speak. They experiment with sounds which are translated by their parents. Parents repeat and respond to what has been said in adult language. When your children are given lots of time and encouragement to practice the new things they learn about language they start to talk.
Children learn to read and write in a manner similar to the way they learn to speak.
They observe others reading books, directions and signs. They watch those around them write shopping lists, and letters. Through watching others, they try these activities. By reading license plates, food labels or other objects around them children learn that print is meaningful and useful. Whether scribbling on scraps of paper, writing a note to a parent with letter like marks or reading a book by looking at the pictures these attempts should be accepted and encouraged.