Early literacy lays the foundation for future reading and writing success. It includes developing skills like phonological awareness, oral language, print concepts, and letter-sound knowledge all of which are essential for beginning readers. Aligned with the principles of structured literacy, early literacy instruction is most effective when it is explicit, systematic, and playful. Engaging young learners with sound awareness, vocabulary, and speech-to-print connections builds the confidence and skills they need to become strong, independent readers.