Banner promoting five early-literacy practices, featuring a colorful tree logo and the words “Read. Write. Talk. Sing. Play.

Read. Write. Talk. Sing. Play. Five simple ways to help your child thrive.

Your child is learning from the moment they are born and some of the most important early learning happens during the everyday moments you already share together.

Five to Thrive is Charles County Public Library’s early literacy program for children from birth through age 5 and their caregivers. The program is built around five simple practices that help prepare children for future reading and learning:

Reading • Writing • Talking • Singing • Playing

These five practices can happen almost anywhere: while sharing a book before bed, talking in the car, singing during bath time, scribbling with crayons, or playing pretend. You don’t need special materials or formal lessons. By making these activities part of your everyday routine, you are already helping your child build important early literacy skills.

Through Five to Thrive, families can learn more about early literacy, discover activities designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and earn rewards as they practice these skills together.

What is Early Literacy?

Early literacy is everything children learn about reading and writing long before they can do either on their own. From birth, a child’s brain is rapidly developing, and everyday interactions help build the foundation for language, comprehension, and future reading success. Early literacy isn’t about teaching young children to read early; it’s about helping them develop the skills they need to become confident readers when they are ready. These skills include understanding words, recognizing sounds, building vocabulary, and making connections to the world around them.

That is where the 5 in Five to Thrive comes in.

Reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing are five simple but powerful ways families can support this development every day. Reading together builds vocabulary and a love of books, while talking and singing help children hear and understand the sounds of language. Writing, even in the form of scribbling, helps children connect spoken and written words, and play encourages imagination and storytelling. When families incorporate these practices into daily routines, they are not only preparing children for school, but also strengthening bonds and creating joyful learning experiences that last a lifetime.

The 5 Ways to Thrive

Reading together is one of the most powerful ways to prepare your child to become a successful reader. It builds vocabulary, introduces new ideas, and helps children understand how stories and language work. Children also learn how books are organized and how print looks and is oriented on a page. Just as importantly, reading together creates positive feelings about books, which motivates children to want to read on their own. Shared reading is considered the single most effective way to support early literacy development.

Writing helps children understand that spoken words can be written down and have meaning. Even early scribbling and drawing support important pre-reading skills like recognizing letters and sounds. As children experiment with writing, they build fine motor skills and begin to connect language with print. Writing also strengthens vocabulary and helps children express their thoughts and ideas. Because reading and writing are closely connected, practicing one supports growth in the other.

Talking with your child builds the foundation for all reading and learning. Through conversation, children learn new words, sentence structures, and how language works. Hearing and using language helps them understand the world around them and improves comprehension later when they begin reading. Talking also encourages children to express themselves, which supports both communication skills and brain development. The more words children hear and use, the stronger their literacy skills will be.

Singing slows language down so children can hear the smaller sounds in words. This helps build phonological awareness, a key skill for sounding out words when learning to read. Songs and rhymes also introduce new vocabulary in a fun and memorable way. Because music is repetitive and engaging, it helps children remember language patterns more easily. Singing is a playful way to strengthen early literacy while also supporting brain development through rhythm and sound.

Play is how children naturally learn about the world and develop language skills. During play, children use their imagination, act out stories, and practice using new words. Play helps children think symbolically, which is important for understanding that words and pictures represent real things. It also builds background knowledge that helps children understand what they read later. Through play, children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to express ideas in language.

Five to Thrive at Every Age

Early literacy doesn’t look exactly the same at every age. A baby exploring the texture of a board book, a toddler telling you what they see in a picture, and a preschooler making up their own story are all developing literacy skills.

The activities below are everyday, play-based interactions—not formal instruction. Reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing work together to build language, vocabulary, and comprehension. Children learn through repetition, interaction, and play, so don’t worry about doing an activity only once or doing it “perfectly.”

Choose the age group that works best for your child and explore ways to incorporate the five practices into your day.

Babies (0–18 months) – At this age, Five to Thrive is all about exploring, listening, responding, and interacting with you.

  • Read board books daily (high-contrast, touch-and-feel)
  • Point to and name pictures (“That’s a dog!”)
  • Let baby turn pages, even if it’s messy!
  • Reread favorite books for familiarity and bonding
    • Read, Read, Read – Read a short board book daily; point to and name pictures.
    • Where’s Baby? – Point to pictures and ask “Where is…?” then answer.
    • Picture Talk – Describe pictures as baby looks and touches pages.
    • Repeat Favorites – Reread the same book; babies learn through repetition.
    • Touch and Feel Books – Let baby explore textures while you label them.
    • Face-to-Face Reading – Hold baby close so they see your face while reading.
    • Book Peekaboo – Hide behind a book, pop out, and say a word.
    • Name That Thing – Point and name objects in books and real life.
    • Sound Stories – Add animal or silly sounds while reading.
    • Lap Time Books – Make reading part of cuddle time each day.

  • Encourage grasping crayons or chunky markers
  • Let baby “scribble” or make marks
  • Use finger tracing in sand, shaving cream, or soft food like yogurt
    • First Scribbles – Let baby hold a crayon and make marks.
    • Finger Paint Fun – Use yogurt or pudding for safe finger painting.
    • Tray Tracing – Trace lines in sand, rice, or soft food.
    • Big Paper Marks – Tape paper down and let baby explore marks.
    • Grip and Grab – Offer chunky crayons to build hand strength.
    • Water Drawing – Use water and a brush on paper or sidewalk.
    • Messy Marks – Let baby smear and explore textures freely.
    • Hand Print Art – Make prints and talk about shapes and movement.
    • Crinkle Paper Play – Let baby crumple paper to build hand skills.
    • Reach and Tap – Encourage reaching and tapping objects for control.

  • Narrate daily routines (“Now we’re putting on socks…”)
  • Respond to coos and babbles to build conversation patterns
  • Name objects, people, and actions throughout the day
  • Use repetition and simple phrases
    • Talk, Talk, Talk – Narrate everything you’re doing throughout the day.
    • I Know My Name – Say baby’s name often and encourage response.
    • Copy Baby Sounds – Imitate babbles and pause for baby to respond.
    • Name the World – Label objects, people, and actions constantly.
    • Daily Routine Talk – Describe steps during feeding, bathing, dressing.
    • Question and Answer – Ask simple questions, then answer them.
    • Emotion Words – Label feelings: happy, sleepy, excited.
    • Point and Speak – Follow baby’s gaze and name what they see.
    • Short Sentences – Use simple phrases to build understanding.
    • Echo Game – Repeat sounds back and forth like a conversation.

  • Sing lullabies and simple songs daily
  • Use songs with actions (clap, bounce, sway)
  • Repeat nursery rhymes to build sound awareness
  • Pause during songs to let baby react or babble back
    • Sing All Day – Sing during routines like diapering or feeding.
    • Name Songs – Add baby’s name into simple songs.
    • Clap Along Songs – Clap baby’s hands to rhythm.
    • Bounce and Sing – Gently bounce while singing rhymes.
    • Repeat Rhymes – Use the same songs daily for familiarity.
    • Pause and Wait – Pause in songs to let baby respond.
    • Action Songs – Add simple motions like waving or tapping.
    • Soft Lullabies – Sing calming songs before sleep.
    • Silly Sounds Songs – Use animal noises in songs.
    • Mirror Singing – Sing while baby watches your face.

  • Peekaboo and simple interactive games
  • Sensory play (textures, soft toys, rattles)
  • Mirror play (recognizing faces and expressions)
  • Cause-and-effect toys (press, shake, drop)
    • Peek-a-Boo – Hide your face and reappear with excitement.
    • Find the Noise – Shake a toy and let baby locate the sound.
    • Tummy Time Play – Place toys just out of reach to encourage movement.
    • Mirror Play – Let baby explore their reflection.
    • Drop and Watch – Drop toys and watch baby react.
    • Texture Play – Offer soft, bumpy, or crinkly items.
    • Reach So High – Hold toys up to encourage reaching.
    • Shake and Rattle – Use rattles for cause-and-effect play.
    • Hide and Reveal – Cover toys with cloth and uncover them.
    • Rolling Ball Game – Roll a ball back and forth.

Toddlers (18–36 months) – Toddlers are rapidly developing language and beginning to express their own ideas. Give them lots of opportunities to participate, respond, repeat, move, and pretend.

  • Ask simple questions about pictures (“Where’s the cat?”)
  • Let child “read” familiar books from memory
  • Introduce repetitive and rhyming books
  • Point out print in the environment (signs, labels)
    • Picture Stowaways – Hide pictures in books and find them together.
    • Who’s In There? – Open flaps or pages to discover characters.
    • Action Stories – Act out what’s happening in the book.
    • Finish the Sentence – Pause and let the child fill in words.
    • Point and Ask – Ask “What’s that?” and expand answers.
    • Rhyme Time Books – Read rhyming books with repetition.
    • Story Retell – Let toddler “read” from memory.
    • Book Choice Time – Let child pick the story.
    • Label the Page – Name everything you see together.
    • Sound It Out Fun – Emphasize fun sounds in words.

  • Scribbling with crayons, markers, chalk
  • Drawing shapes and lines
  • Practice holding writing tools
  • Use playdough or finger tracing to build hand strength
    • Scribble Time – Encourage free drawing with crayons.
    • Chalk the Walk – Draw lines and shapes outside.
    • Sticker Stories – Place stickers and talk about them.
    • Draw and Tell – Ask child to describe their drawing.
    • Playdough Letters – Roll dough into lines and shapes.
    • Big Line Drawing – Practice long lines and circles.
    • Color and Name – Draw and name colors used.
    • Trace with Finger – Trace shapes in sand or flour.
    • Dot Marker Fun – Make dots and patterns.
    • Vertical Drawing – Tape paper to wall for arm strength.

  • Expand on what your child says; for example, if your child says “ball,” you might respond, “Yes, a big red ball!”
  • Use storytelling activities (like using puppets to act out a story or simple sequencing)
  • Name actions and emotions during play
  • Ask open-ended questions (“What do you see?”)
    • Using Words to Have Fun – Encourage naming during play.
    • Story Hand – Use fingers to tell simple stories.
    • What Do You See? – Ask child to describe surroundings.
    • Expand Their Words – Add details to what child says.
    • Action Talk – Describe actions like running, jumping.
    • Daily Chat Time – Have short back-and-forth talks.
    • Name Emotions – Talk about feelings in real time.
    • Pretend Conversations – Talk through toys or puppets.
    • Choice Questions – Offer simple choices to encourage speech.
    • Repeat and Build – Repeat child’s words and expand.

  • Sing nursery rhymes and action songs regularly
  • Encourage toddlers to fill in missing words in songs
  • Use rhythm games (clapping, tapping)
  • Repeat songs to build memory and sound patterns
    • Nursery Rhyme Time – Sing classic rhymes daily.
    • Fill the Gap Songs – Pause for child to add words.
    • Clap the Beat – Clap along to songs together.
    • Action Song Play – Add jumps, spins, and claps.
    • Name That Tune – Let child choose favorite songs.
    • Fast and Slow Songs – Change tempo for fun.
    • Echo Songs – Sing a line and have child repeat.
    • Animal Songs – Add animal sounds to music.
    • Dance and Sing – Move while singing.
    • Silly Song Remix – Change words to be funny.

  • Pretend play (puppets, kitchen, animals)
  • Matching and sorting games (colors, shapes)
  • Simple obstacle courses or movement games
  • “Fill and spill,” stacking, and building activities
  • Interactive games like “Who’s in there?” or hide-and-seek
    • Fill and Spill Bottles – Dump and refill containers.
    • Matching Objects – Match toys by color or type.
    • Obstacle Course – Crawl, climb, and move around objects.
    • Puppet Show – Act out simple stories.
    • Pretend Kitchen – Play cooking and serving food.
    • Sorting Game – Sort items by shape or color.
    • Roll Away Game – Roll objects and chase them.
    • Tower Power – Stack and knock down blocks.
    • Hide and Find – Hide toys and search together.
    • Imaginative Play – Pretend to be animals or people.

Preschoolers (36–60 months) – As preschoolers become more independent communicators, Five to Thrive activities can encourage them to tell stories, ask questions, make predictions, experiment with letters and words, and use their imaginations.

  • Ask prediction questions (“What will happen next?”)
  • Retell stories in their own words
  • Introduce story structure (beginning, middle, end)
  • Follow along with text using a finger
    • Tell Me About It – Ask the child to explain a story.
    • Rhyme Detectives – Find rhyming words in books.
    • Predict the Ending – Ask what happens next.
    • Story Sequence – Retell beginning, middle, end.
    • Follow the Words – Track text with a finger.
    • Character Talk – Discuss feelings of characters.
    • Act It Out – Turn stories into play.
    • Question Time – Ask who, what, where questions.
    • Word Play Books – Focus on fun word sounds.
    • Library Pretend Play – Act out checking out books.

  • Practice writing their name
  • Draw pictures and dictate stories
  • Begin forming letters and simple words
  • Use journals, lists, or labeling drawings
    • Name Practice – Practice writing their name.
    • Draw and Write – Draw a picture and add words.
    • Letter Tracing – Trace letters with finger or pencil.
    • Story Dictation – Child tells a story, you write it.
    • Make a Book – Create simple homemade books.
    • List Making – Write grocery or wish lists together.
    • Label It – Label drawings with simple words.
    • Alphabet Art – Decorate letters creatively.
    • Journal Time – Draw or write about the day.
    • Write in Play – Add writing to pretend play.

  • Have longer conversations and storytelling
  • Encourage children to explain ideas and experiences
  • Use descriptive language (colors, sizes, feelings)
  • Engage in dramatic storytelling or role play
    • Name Game – Play games using names and sounds.
    • Tell a Story – Encourage full storytelling.
    • Explain It – Ask the child to explain how things work.
    • Describe It Game – Describe objects for others to guess.
    • Opposites Talk – Talk about big/small, fast/slow.
    • Daily Reflection – Talk about the day together.
    • Question Chain – Ask follow-up questions.
    • Role Play Talk – Use voices in pretend play.
    • Memory Sharing – Talk about past experiences.
    • Conversation Practice – Take turns speaking and listening.

  • Sing more complex songs and rhymes
  • Play rhyming games (“cat, hat, bat…”)
  • Create silly songs or change lyrics
  • Add instruments or movement to songs
    • Clap a Name – Clap syllables in names.
    • Rhyme Songs – Sing songs with rhyming words.
    • Make Your Own Song – Create songs together.
    • Instrument Play – Add simple instruments.
    • Tempo Change Songs – Sing fast, then slow.
    • Syllable Songs – Break words into beats.
    • Echo Singing – Repeat musical phrases.
    • Movement Songs – Add coordinated actions.
    • Sound Matching Songs – Match sounds to words.
    • Group Singing – Sing together with others.

  • Imaginative play (dress-up, role play, storytelling)
  • Sequencing games and story reenactment
  • Building and construction play (blocks, puzzles)
  • Games that involve following directions
  • Cooperative play with peers
    • Matching Games – Match pictures on cards.
    • Sink or Float – Test objects in water.
    • Colorful Collages – Create art with craft materials.
    • Puppet Pals – Act out stories with puppets.
    • Board Games – Practice turn-taking and rules.
    • Scavenger Hunt – Find items by clues.
    • Build a City – Use blocks to create structures.
    • Sorting Challenge – Sort by multiple traits.
    • Science Play – Explore simple experiments.
    • Dramatic Play – Act out real-life situations.

Ready to Put the 5 Into Practice?

Now that you know how reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing support your child’s development, Five to Thrive gives your family a fun way to practice them together.

Five to Thrive gives families a fun and flexible way to practice these five early literacy activities together. Complete activities, fill your Game Board, earn points, and work toward rewards, all while spending meaningful time with your child.

How Does Five to Thrive Work?

There are three ways to participate: with a paper Game Board, digitally through Beanstack, or by using both.

Option 1: Complete a Paper Game Board

Your family will receive a 25-square Game Board filled with fun activities that help children build early literacy skills through the five Five to Thrive practices:

Reading | Writing | Talking | Singing | Playing

  • Each square on the Game Board features an activity you can do together. You can complete the activity listed in the square or get creative and choose another activity that fits the same Five to Thrive practice.
  • Each time you complete an activity together, mark off that square. You can complete the activities in any order and work at your own pace. 
  • Every completed square earns you and your child one point towards a prize ticket. Fill in all 25 squares to earn 25 points! Every 25 points earned will receive 1 prize ticket for the child and 1 for the caregiver.
  • Once your family has completed a Game Board, you can turn it in at any Charles County Public Library branch.*

One board is just the beginning! Your family can complete as many Game Boards as you’d like. Each completed board earns more prize tickets, helping you and your child work toward higher-level prizes, all the way up to Level 5 prizes.

With five different Game Board versions full of activity ideas, there’s always something new to try! You can also choose a blank board and fill it with your own activities inspired by the five Five to Thrive practices.

Your child can keep participating and completing Game Boards until they turn 6 years old. Keep reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing together to build early literacy skills and celebrate your progress along the way!

*Game Boards may be turned in at the Mobile Library to log your points; however, prizes will not be available on the Mobile Library due to lack of space.

Option 2: Participate Digitally on Beanstack

Prefer to participate digitally? You can complete Five to Thrive through Beanstack, an online platform where your family can track activities, earn points, and collect badges as you build early literacy skills together.

  • Register your child by finding the Five to Thrive challenge on the Beanstack homepage and then click Enroll to get started. If your child is currently enrolled in 500 by 5, they’ll need to be unenrolled from that program before registering for Five to Thrive. Please ask a staff member if you need assistance. Only the child needs to be registered for the program; the caregiver’s participation will be tracked alongside the child’s in Beanstack. 
  • Earn points by participating in early literacy activities and logging your reading together:
    • Earn 1 point for every activity completed
    • Earn 1 point for each book you read together, or
    • Earn 1 point for every 20 minutes spent reading together
  • As your family earns points, you’ll unlock milestone badges at 25-point intervals, starting at 25 points and continuing through 1,000 points. These badges celebrate your progress and encourage you to keep going! Only the points badges earn prize tickets.
  • Reading badges earned by logging books or reading minutes are a great way to celebrate your reading, but they do not earn additional prize tickets.

Option 3: You Can Do Both!

You don’t have to choose between Beanstack and paper Game Boards. Your family can use either option or participate in both ways. Choose whichever works best for your family and keep enjoying the five Five to Thrive practices.

The activities on the Game Board or on Beanstack are suggestions, not rules!

For example, a Reading square/activity might ask you to read for 20 minutes, but rereading a favorite book or reading together somewhere other than home can also be a great way to practice reading.

A Writing square/activity might ask you to draw or scribble, while a Talking square/activity might ask you to talk about your day. Singing and Playing squares/activities might include singing a favorite song, building something, playing outside, or pretending together.

The goal isn’t to complete an activity perfectly. The goal is to have fun together while building early literacy skills.

Anywhere!

Five to Thrive activities can happen:

  • At home
  • In the car
  • At the library
  • Outside
  • During everyday routines
  • Anywhere else your family spends time together

You don’t need special materials or a lot of extra time. A conversation during dinner, a song in the car, scribbling with crayons, or pretending together can all become opportunities to build early literacy skills.

Absolutely!

Repetition is an important part of how young children learn. If your child loves the same book, song, or game, do it again and again!

When you’re completing your Game Board, simply choose a new activity for each square, but don’t worry about repeating favorite activities along the way. If you and your child want to read the same book every night for 5 nights, that can absolutely count for the 5 Reading squares/activities needed.

And remember: there’s no wrong way to participate. Choose activities that work for your child and your family’s schedule.

That’s okay!

Not every activity will be the right fit for every child. If an activity doesn’t work for your family, choose another activity that supports the same early literacy practice.

For example, if a suggested Writing activity isn’t a good fit, try another drawing, scribbling, tracing, or mark-making activity instead.

The important thing is to practice the five early literacy skills, not to follow a specific activity exactly.

Completing your Five to Thrive activities can earn both children and caregivers prize tickets!

When Using a Paper Game Board – Once you’ve completed all 25 squares, bring your finished Game Board to any Charles County Public Library branch*.

Both the child and caregiver will each receive one prize ticket each.

There are several different versions of Game Boards to ensure a wide variety of suggested activities. You can complete and turn in multiple Game Boards throughout the program, giving your family more opportunities to earn tickets.

When Using Beanstack: Both the child and caregiver will each receive one prize ticket for every 25 points earned.

The first time you reach 25 points, you’ll also earn the Five to Thrive Challenge Completion Badge in Beanstack.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Keep reading and completing activities to earn another set of tickets for every additional 25 points you earn for as long as you participate in the program.

A Note About Beanstack: The Beanstack version of Five to Thrive tracks activities a little differently than the paper Game Board, but both require the same number of activities to earn tickets.

We ask all families to register for Five to Thrive in Beanstack, even if you plan to use a paper Game Board. This helps the library accurately track participation in the program. Staff can help you get registered if you prefer to strictly use only the paper Game Boards. 

*Game Boards may be turned in at the Mobile Library to log your points; however, prizes will not be available on the Mobile Library due to lack of space.

When you earn a ticket, you have a choice!

Redeem it right away for a prize, or save your tickets to work toward a higher-level prize. Each ticket equals one level. So you will need 1 ticket for a Level 1 prize, 2 tickets for a Level 2 prize, and so on up to Level 5.

The more tickets you save, the bigger the prize!

Prize Levels – There are 5 prize levels for both children and adults.

Children’s Prize Levels: Adult/Caregiver Prize Levels:
Level 1 – Sticker or bubble wand Level 1 – Vinyl Sticker
Level 2 – Playdough or finger puppet Level 2 – Bookmark
Level 3 – Squishy toy or shaker egg Level 3 – Novelty Pen or Enamel Pin
Level 4 – Mini plush toy Level 4 – Tote bag
Level 5 – Board Book or Picture Book Level 5 – Entry in monthly “Family Fun Activity Basket” drawing 

Please note: Prize selections may vary.

Charles County Public Library’s 500 by 5 program will officially end on January 1, 2027, and our new Five to Thrive early literacy program launches on November 2, 2026.

If your child is currently enrolled in 500 by 5, you can switch to Five to Thrive at any time before 500 by 5 ends. Please note that your child cannot be enrolled in both challenges at the same time.

How to Switch to Five to Thrive in Beanstack

  1. Log in to your Beanstack account.
  2. Find the 500 by 5 challenge on your account.
  3. Click the three dots (•••) on the challenge card.
  4. Select Un-enroll.
  5. Find and register your child for the Five to Thrive challenge.

What Happens to Books You’ve Already Logged?

Good news! You won’t lose your reading history when you switch challenges. All books you’ve logged will remain in your family’s Reading Log in Beanstack.

Here’s how your previously logged books will count toward Five to Thrive:

  • Books logged before November 2, 2026: These will remain in your Reading Log but will not count toward your Five to Thrive points.
  • Books logged on or after November 2, 2026: These will transfer to Five to Thrive when you switch challenges and earn 1 point per book.

For example: If you log six books after Five to Thrive launches on November 2 but don’t switch from 500 by 5 until November 26, those six books will transfer to Five to Thrive when you register. You’ll start with six points!

We encourage families to make the switch to 5 to Thrive and continue building early literacy skills together through reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing.

Please note: Calvert and St. Mary’s County libraries will continue offering 500 by 5.

Make Five to Thrive Part of Your Everyday Life

You don’t have to set aside hours for early literacy. The best opportunities are often the little moments you are already sharing with your child.

Read a book. Tell a story. Sing a song. Draw a picture. Build a tower. Ask a question. Play pretend.

Every time you read, write, sing, talk, or play together, you’re helping your child build the early literacy skills they need to become a confident reader and lifelong learner.

And perhaps best of all, you’re creating meaningful memories together along the way.

Ready to Get Started?

Join Five to Thrive today!

Download a Five to Thrive Game Board