This section of the site focuses on the importance of the early years (birth to five) to children's later literacy development. Use the links on the left for more on early years and literacy. For specific information and advice visit our parents and carers page. You may also be interested in reviewing current policy and research information and can do so by visiting Policy or Research.

The National Literacy Trust supports early years literacy and language development by working with a range of audiences. We work with:

• Early years practitioners through the Talk To Your Baby campaign to encourage parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three.
  
• Early years settings through the Early Reading Connects project to encourage children to love language, stories and reading.
  
• Local authorities through the Partners in Literacy (formerly Family Reading Matters) pilot project to establish if a strategic and coordinated approach to literacy, at a local authority level, positively impacts on the number of disadvantaged families supporting literacy in the home.