“No, Mommy! I want to be in my cousin’s class!”
That was our Sunday morning at church, big feelings in a small hallway.
My son wanted to go into his cousin’s classroom (she’s older), and nothing I said seemed to calm him down.
Big feelings. Busy hallway. Sunday morning chaos.
For a moment, I almost matched his frustration.
Then I remembered, he can read.
So, I bent down and pointed to the sign that said:
“Preschool 2–3 Years.”
I said, “That’s your class right there.”
He frowned, looked at the sign, read it slowly, and then after a while he walked in the class because he understood.
No more tears.
No more convincing.
Just understanding.
That moment reminded me why I’m so grateful I taught him to read early; it’s truly one of the most important skills I’ve helped him develop during these early years.
Reading turns resistance into understanding.
Why Early Reading Matters More Than You Think
Teaching my son to read wasn’t about pushing him ahead; it was about nurturing his early literacy skills and helping him discover the joy of language.
At a young age, kids are in the critical period of brain development, and learning new words becomes as natural as play.
Reading early builds both language skills and cognitive development, setting a strong foundation for a lifelong love of books.
And if you’ve ever had that moment where your toddler just does not get it, you’ll understand how powerful it feels when understanding finally clicks.
Everyday Choices Are Easier
When young children can read, they can choose.
From picking shows on Youtube to recognizing snack labels, board books, or picture books — reading gives them independence in the sweetest way.
It’s the best way to nurture confidence early on.
He doesn’t have to ask, “Which one is mine?” anymore — he knows.
When kids can read, they stop guessing and start deciding.
Correction Becomes Connection
The other day, he made a poor choice.
Instead of raising my voice, I opened our Bible to James 4:17:
“If you know what is right to do and you do not do it, that is sin.”
We read it together.
I explained what sin means — doing the wrong thing when you already know the right one.
He thought for a moment and said softly,
“Oh… I wouldn’t do that again. I promise.”
That small act of story time with Scripture helped him grasp a big lesson.
It’s amazing how reading together shapes both heart and mind — it strengthens comprehension skills and even social skills, one verse at a time.
The Word hits different when your child can read it too.
Independent Learning Feels Natural
Now, when I’m cooking or working, I can hand him a small worksheet or one of his favorite children’s books.
His aunty got him a spot book a while ago, one of those fun picture books that say things like “Can you spot ten hats?” or “Find all the red cars.”
At first, he couldn’t really handle it. He’d get frustrated or skip pages after a few tries.
But now that he’s reading better and recognizing simple words, he can enjoy it all on his own.
He’ll sit quietly, scanning each page, counting objects, and proudly reading the prompts aloud.
And the fun part is that it gives me a little pocket of time to do my own thing, whether that’s making dinner, answering emails, or just taking a breather.
It’s not perfect focus, we still get distracted sometimes, but it builds patience, observation, and independence one page at a time.
These everyday reading moments are strengthening his early literacy skills and phonemic awareness, helping him connect letters, sounds, and meaning naturally.
And truly, that’s the first step toward confident early readers.
Confidence Follows Them Everywhere
At daycare, the doctor’s office, or church, he’s not afraid to try.
He’ll sound out new words proudly, even when they’re tricky.
That courage to try — not just to get it right — is the great way reading shapes a child’s mindset.
And when you see that spark of “I can do it!” in their eyes, you realize reading isn’t just about letters — it’s about giving them a head start in life
Early readers find their voice — in every sense of the word.
Reading Time = Heart Time
Reading together has become our favorite special time of day.
We laugh through silly nursery rhymes, act out different voices, and sometimes pray using verses he can now read aloud.
Lately, I’ve noticed how much more confident he sounds when he reads with me. He’s starting to pause at the right moments and even tries to copy my expressions or tone.
It’s not just about letters anymore; it’s about connection and building a positive attitude toward learning.
Transitions Are Calmer
From Sunday school to daycare drop-offs, early reading helps him feel secure.
He recognizes signs, name tags, and instructions.
He knows where to go, and that gives him peace.
That’s the magic of nurturing language and comprehension skills from an early age — it builds confidence in everyday life.
Early reading doesn’t rush childhood — it enriches it.
It Makes Everyday Life More Fun
Reading isn’t all books and worksheets. It shows up in our adventures too!
One of our favorite early literacy activities lately has been a reading game during car rides.
We call it “Spot the Word.”
He tries to find signs before I do:
“Who can spot the word STOP first?”
“Can you find something that starts with S?”
“Let’s read one store sign before the light turns green!”
Recently, his dad started teaching him different car brands and names, and it has become such a fun activity for our drives.
Now he proudly points out, “That’s a Honda!” or “Look, a Tesla!”
It’s amazing to see how reading helps him remember not just the signs but also the names and logos he sees every day.
It’s simple, fun, and keeps him learning new things — even on the go.
He giggles every time he beats me to a word (or a car name).
Learning doesn’t have to stay at home — it can happen anywhere.
Quick Ways to Build Early Literacy Skills
If you’re wondering how to teach your toddler to read, start small.
Here are a few appropriate practices that work beautifully at this young age:
- Read board books or short stories together.
- Label toy bins and favorite items.
- Visit your local library and pick children’s books from different cultures and topics.
- Sing nursery rhymes and point to the words as you go.
- Play the “sign game” on car rides — it’s a great opportunity to learn sight words in the real world.
These simple routines make reading a part of everyday life and give your child a solid foundation for future learning.
You can also check out my post on How to Teach Bible Stories to Toddlers — it’s one of our most-loved lessons for young learners and early readers.
Final Thoughts
That church hallway moment was easier to handle because he could read.
Teaching your toddler to read early isn’t about pressure or formal instruction.
It’s about creating a positive relationship with learning — one that builds confidence, social skills, and curiosity.
Start small: one sound, one letter, one word at a time.
Because one day, that small step might change everything.
You’re not just teaching letters. You’re shaping confidence, connection, and calm.
Want to Start Early Too?
September 2026 is just around the corner!
If you want to start teaching your little one now, join the early birds — spaces are limited.
You’ll receive weekly reading prompts, simple activities, and faith-filled ideas to nurture your child’s early literacy skills and love of reading.
Together, we can grow a confident reader in 2026. Sign up here — let’s begin this journey together!
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