Children are involved in the acquisition of literacy skills almost from birth. Communication of information, thoughts and ideas begins with spoken language and progresses through the preschool years to written language and reading and writing. Because all children develop individually it is not possible to determine an exact moment when formal reading and writing begins. Parents and educators will want to pay careful attention to each child's progress and interests in written information.
Children with low vision are often at risk for not having rich and varied sensory experiences using all of their available senses. Sighted adults who surround these children may inadvertently reinforce use of vision above use of touch and other senses. In such cases, in order to make informed decisions about appropriate learning and literacy media, the child must be encouraged and reinforced to use all of his or her senses.