Parenting Through a Pandemic and Beyond

Abstract

Early literacy development starts from infancy and plays a crucial role in enabling early learning experiences and supports later academic achievement, social and emotional wellbeing, and enhanced productivity in life. However, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life for many families. Yet, children's education and development did not pause, and supporting children, families, and care providers of all kinds remained as important as ever. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted families' critical role in supporting young children's early education and development, including early literacy development. This chapter aims to provide families and early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals with resources to develop early literacy skills in young children. The chapter also includes an overview of family practices to support young children's early literacy skills development at home and a review of reading initiatives and resources that supported families in developing early literacy skills in young children.