Early reading is a foundational element of early childhood development, and Development Matters emphasises its role in supporting communication, language, and literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

1. Early reading supports communication and language development

Development Matters highlights that children need rich interactions, frequent conversations, and exposure to varied vocabulary to become confident communicators. It stresses that early literacy learning sits within the wider context of communication and language.
 

Shared book reading is particularly important: it builds children’s knowledge about the world, develops vocabulary, and supports empathy and understanding. 

2. Early reading builds strong foundations for later literacy

Development Matters emphasises pathways of learning that develop over time, including early literacy behaviours such as handling books, recognising symbols, and exploring stories. These experiences help children progress toward decoding and comprehension skills.
 

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) also notes that effective early reading teaching balances language comprehension and decoding skills, both of which must develop early.
 

3. Shared reading fosters deep understanding and critical thinking

Development Matters encourages practitioners to provide playful, rich learning opportunities that promote thinking, exploring, and making connections. Shared reading supports this by encouraging children to ask questions, make inferences, and explore ideas.
 

4. Early reading experiences shape attitudes and positive relationships with books

Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that early encounters with stories shape children’s attitudes and feelings about reading later in life. Children who enjoy reading from a young age are more likely to develop strong literacy skills and positive reading habits.
 

Development Matters supports this approach by encouraging environments rich in meaningful print, familiar stories, and joyful reading experiences that help children become enthusiastic learners.
 

5. Early reading provides inclusive, culturally relevant learning opportunities

Development Matters stresses valuing all children’s cultures and providing resources that reflect their communities. Early reading enables settings to expose children to diverse stories, voices, and texts, forming connections between home and school experiences.
 

6. Early identification of needs and timely intervention

Development Matters includes “observation checkpoints” to identify children who may be at risk of falling behind. Early reading behaviours—such as attention to stories, interest in books, and emergent literacy skills—provide key indicators for early support.

In Summary

Early reading is essential in the early years because it:

• Builds communication, language, and vocabulary
• Establishes core literacy skills for decoding and comprehension
• Encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and imagination
• Fosters a lifelong love of reading and positive literacy identities
• Supports inclusive, culturally relevant learning environments
• Helps practitioners identify and address early learning needs

Development Matters (2023) consistently reinforces these principles by guiding practitioners to provide rich, language-filled, play-based experiences and a supportive environment where early reading can flourish.