5 Preschool Lessons Learned About Literacy in 2024

As 2024 has come to a close, I find myself reflecting on the preschool lessons I’ve learned this year about early literacy. One topic that truly stood out to me was the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of preschool (check out my blog post here). Is preschool effective? Honestly, I’m baffled that this is even a question.

Preschool offers so much more than just academics—children learn to share, explore new toys, sing, dance, tell stories, and, yes, begin their journey with the alphabet. Preschool is undeniably effective when the environment is designed for success and teachers are given the right tools, including resources, training, behavioral support, and fair pay.

While I’m a strong advocate for research-driven practices (as most of you already know), we can’t rely solely on numbers when it comes to children. We need to deeply understand how each child learns best. What makes them light up with excitement? What activities lose their attention quickly? Which centers do they gravitate toward? What rules and routines need reinforcement?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in early education, but one thing is certain: preschool works. When we intentionally blend instruction with play, children thrive and accomplish incredible milestones.

I’m eager to see what 2025 holds, but for now, here are five key lessons I’ve learned about early literacy in 2024.

1. Repetition Matters.

We have to start with the basics: repetition matters. Both in learning and life, the brain craves repetition—it’s how we build strong, lasting pathways that stick. If we want children to succeed, we need to embrace doing the same thing again and again.

One day, one week? That’s not enough. Sing the same songs repeatedly, revisit letters and sounds throughout the year, and don’t just read a book once—read it three or four times. Young learners need repeated exposure to letters, sounds, and concepts to truly internalize them.

This year, one of my biggest takeaways was realizing how quickly children forget without consistent, intentional repetition. The key isn’t just repetition itself but finding creative and meaningful ways to revisit literacy skills—whether through engaging games, fun songs, or re-reading their favorite books.

And the good news...repetition makes your life as a teacher EASIER! You don't have to constantly rack your brain to find new books, songs and center materials. Watch for learning cues for when it is time to move on.

 2. Children Are Capable of Amazing Things When It’s Fun.

One of the most rewarding moments I experience when working in schools is seeing the amazement in a teacher’s eyes as they realize the incredible potential of their students. That spark of excitement when they witness a breakthrough is contagious!

I’ll never forget a moment in a threes classroom last year. We were using Play-Doh to work on sentence segmentation—rolling it into balls to represent each word in a sentence then smashing a ball for each word. One teacher turned to her colleague and said, “Watch what they can do!” The children eagerly demonstrated their ability to break sentences into parts, something many might think too advanced for their age.

This moment reminded me of the power of believing in children’s capabilities and pushing past the boundaries of “what we’ve always done.” When we take the time to dig deeper, to challenge assumptions, and to truly explore what children can achieve, the results are often extraordinary.

But here’s the thing—it has to be fun! Children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and excited. That’s why incorporating play, hands-on activities, and creativity into lessons is so important. When learning feels like a joyful exploration rather than a chore, children not only rise to the occasion but often exceed our expectations.

Moments like these inspire me to keep looking for innovative ways to merge instruction with play!  

3.  Oral Language Is the Foundation of Literacy.

If there’s one essential truth I wish every parent, teacher, and caregiver could embrace, it’s this: oral language is where literacy begins. From day one—literally from birth—the simple acts of talking, singing, and reading to children build the foundation for their future success in reading, writing, and communication.

Studies consistently show that language trumps all. Research has revealed that the number of words a child hears, and the quality of back-and-forth interactions directly correlate to brain development and learning outcomes. These interactions activate neural pathways, fostering critical connections that support not only literacy but overall cognitive development.

But here’s the challenge: we have to do better. In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to let opportunities for connection slip away. Imagine the impact if we all chose to put down the iPads in public and talked with our kids instead. What if we spent center time in classrooms truly engaging with children instead of monitoring from the sidelines? Or if we sat down at lunch, sharing conversations instead of supervising from a distance?

Every moment is an opportunity to build a child’s literacy foundation, but it requires intentionality. We need to prioritize talking over scrolling, reading over rushing, and connecting over convenience. Because words matter. Conversations matter. And most importantly, our children’s futures matter.

4. Teachers Need More Support and Training.

This year, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible preschool educators—from local preschools, to Zoom calls, to state conferences. Time and time again, I’ve been amazed by their openness, dedication, and willingness to learn. From these experiences, I have noticed two key observations:

1. Toddler and Two-Year-Old Teachers Need More Support: This age group is often overlooked when it comes to professional development. Yet, as I’ve said before, young children are capable of truly amazing things. With intentional planning, even our littlest learners can engage in meaningful, fun literacy experiences. The key is equipping these teachers with simple, engaging strategies that make literacy learning both accessible and joyful.

2. We Need to Prioritize Science of Reading Training: In more than 20 trainings this year, I’ve asked educators to raise their hands if they’ve heard of the science of reading. In a room of 30, maybe one teacher responds. This underscores the urgent need for accessible, research-based training on how to build a strong literacy foundation. WE build the foundation needed for reading. WE need to be educated on science. The same goes for phonological awareness...but more to come on that in 2025! Watch our free webinar HERE!

We are building the future. The foundation for lifelong literacy begins with US—educators. When teachers are given the tools and knowledge to implement best practices, they rise to the occasion. I’ve witnessed their willingness to adapt and embrace new strategies. Now, directors and leaders must step up to provide the training and support necessary to empower our educators.  

Learn with Moving Little Minds! Check out our SERVICES!

5. Instruction and Play Are a Perfect Pair 

   
   

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We teach young children practically everything—how to put on pants, hold a fork, and use their manners. But when it comes to the alphabet, there’s often hesitation about whether teaching it is developmentally appropriate. Here’s the truth: some skills, especially those foundational to reading, must be taught. Ignoring this fact doesn’t just delay progress—it does a disservice to our children.

Children are capable of incredible things and early literacy skills can be taught in fun and engaging ways. Teaching the alphabet doesn’t mean endless flashcards or dull drills. It means having an intentional plan to incorporate learning into their everyday play and routines.

Yes, we may need a few minutes of focused, direct instruction during circle time with a classroom full of busy learners. But after that? The play begins.

Does it take an extraordinary amount of effort to combine literacy and play? No. However, it does take thoughtfulness and involvement. Children thrive when they’re allowed to learn through exploration, fun, and movement! And when we teach them in ways that align with how they naturally grow, they’re not just learning—they’re thriving.

The alphabet, and the foundation for reading, is well within their reach. It’s our job to guide them there with care, creativity, and playfulness.  Visit our SHOP to see how we merge instruction with PLAY!

AND...Grab our free sensory alphabet games resource - Click HERE!

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Final Thoughts

As we reflect on the state of early literacy, one fact is impossible to ignore: children in America continue to struggle to read. It’s time we stop dismissing the impact of what happens in the critical years from birth to five. These are the foundation-building years—the time when brain development lays the groundwork for all future learning. If we think that what happens before kindergarten doesn’t influence reading abilities, we must think again.

Preschool educators and parents are being left out of the conversation about change, yet we hold the keys to early literacy success. This year has reaffirmed that early literacy education for BOTH children and adults is KEY to change.

Let’s continue the conversation in 2025. What lessons have you learned about early literacy this year? What changes are you willing to make? Every small step we take today builds brighter futures for tomorrow. Together, we can reimagine what’s possible for our children.

Leave a comment with your thoughts and goals!

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We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills.  At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways!  By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.

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