Ask your child what their toys did while they were out today or invite them to help you read the mail. Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock July 10, 2017 How to encourage literacy in young children (and beyond) Louise Phillips, The University of Queensland and Pauline Harris, University of South Australia Supporting early childhood literacy is not just about reading to your child. Research has found there are many and varied ways to increase literacy in early learning.