Early literacy and numeracy is very important for young children. However, as discussed in Chapter 2, it is the nature of how you promote early literacy and numeracy for young children that needs to be carefully considered. Provide opportunities for rich language practice, through nonsense rhymes, story telling, songs, playing with dress ups, making pretend cars, pasting, noting numbers on letter boxes, car registration numbers or words on shops. All of these ordinary experiences are far more meaningful and interesting to children than being forced to colour in a letter or number.