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Children first learn about literacy at home. And families vary greatly in the ways that they introduce ideas about reading and writing to children. To take a few examples, some families may not talk much about literacy, but children will observe writing, print and labels at home and in their neighbourhood. Children may become familiar with 'environmental print' in logos like McDonald's or Bob the Builder, road signs and shop signs, or video labels. Children may see adults writing notes, handing over receipts at a shop till or sending text messages on their mobile phones.

Other families talk more about the reading and writing that they do. Parents may point out letters and talk about how family names are written. They may show children what they are writing. They may encourage early writing, like pretend shopping lists and 'signing' birthday cards. Stories and books might be frequently shared. In still other families, there is not so much of this informal talk and participation. The children are taught aspects of literacy directly by their parents - maybe the names of the letters of the alphabet, or how to write their names. In many families, children grow up knowing about literacy in two or more languages.