The Joy of Building Literacy with Your Grandchildren
Building literacy with grandchildren is about so much more than teaching them to read—it's about creating moments of connection that strengthen your relationship while supporting their development. Dr. Carolyn Brown's perspective as both a reading researcher and grandmother will resonate with grandparents everywhere. She understands that the best language development happens not through formal lessons, but through the joyful everyday interactions we already treasure with our grandchildren. Here's her expert guidance on making those moments count.
As a reading researcher and a grandparent, I have the joy of seeing language and literacy development from both the professional and personal perspective. In my work, I study how children develop language and how that foundation supports reading and lifelong learning. And, at home, I experience the delight of sharing stories, exploring words, and playing with language alongside my grandchildren.
Between the ages of 2 and 5, children’s language grows in leaps and bounds. They go from saying two-word sentences to full conversations, and from recognizing pictures to understanding stories. During these years, the loving, everyday interactions we share with them—talking, reading, playing, and imagining together—build the foundation for literacy success.
Here are some simple, joyful ways to make those moments count.
How does conversation build language skills in toddlers?
Start by observing what captures your grandchild’s interest. Maybe it’s a favorite truck, a family pet, or the moon in the sky. Then, join in conversation about that topic. Ask questions, listen to their responses, and build on what they say.
For example, if your grandchild says, “Big dog!” you might respond, “Yes, a big brown dog! He’s running so fast. Where do you think he’s going?” These little back-and-forth exchanges, called “serve and return” conversations, help children learn how conversation works while expanding their vocabulary and thinking skills.
The key is to be responsive, not corrective. Enjoy the conversation as a shared adventure.
What role does storytelling play in literacy development?
Play is the heart of learning for young children and stories make play even richer. Whether you’re building a block city, playing “kitchen,” or taking stuffed animals on a make-believe picnic, turn these moments into mini-stories.
Give characters names and personalities. Ask questions like, “What happens next?” or “How does our puppy feel when the rain starts?” Let your grandchild’s imagination lead the way. You can also add small twists to keep it fun like, “Oh no, the sandwiches are flying away!”
Stories created through play help children understand and practice how events connect, how people feel, and how problems are solved—all skills that strengthen language development, memory, and early literacy.
Why is descriptive language important for preschoolers?
Children learn new words best when they hear them naturally in conversation. As you play, cook, garden, or take walks, describe what you’re doing:
“Let’s stir the pancake batter until it’s smooth and creamy.”
“The leaves are fluttering in the breeze. Do you feel how cool it is?”
Sing songs, play rhyming games, and repeat silly tongue twisters. These activities develop phonological awareness, which is children’s ability to hear and play with sounds, and an essential step toward learning to read.
Encourage your grandchild to describe, label, and explain things, too. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s expression!
How grandparents can make reading time more effective
Shared reading is one of the most powerful ways to build both language and connection. Snuggle up with a picture book and let your grandchild turn the pages, point to pictures, and finish familiar phrases.
For younger children (ages 2–3), choose simple rhyming books, books about animals, or stories with repeating lines. Enjoy playing with sounds, such as moo, baa, and choo-choo.
For preschoolers (ages 4–5), choose books with simple plots and predictable patterns. After reading, ask them to retell parts of the story, guess what might happen next, or invent a new ending. Re-reading favorite books and stories is a wonderful way to build your grandchild's confidence and memory.
Remember, reading together doesn’t have to be a long event. Even a few minutes a day adds up to hours of language growth over time.
The everyday moments that support language learning
As a grandparent, you hold a special role and can be a loving, patient guide in supporting your grandchild’s language development. You can listen without judging, encourage without pressure, and take delight in every discovery.
Each story you read, song you sing, or silly conversation you share adds a brick to your grandchild’s foundation for literacy and learning. Even small moments—naming the colors of fall leaves, rhyming words while driving, or laughing over a story—create lasting bonds and powerful learning experiences.
So, keep talking, listening, reading, and playing. Your joyful interactions are shaping your grandchild’s language, while helping to build their confidence, imagination, and love for learning.
And that’s one of the greatest gifts a grandparent can give.
Dr. Carolyn Brown is the co-founder and chief academic officer of Foundations in Learning, creator of the online reading program WordFlight at Home, which helps children seven and older quickly build their fluency and confidence in reading.
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Looking for more ways to strengthen your bond with grandchildren through intentional activities? Our Grandparent Love Letters provide creative prompts that combine language development with meaningful connection—perfect for grandparents who want to support literacy while building lasting relationships.