Language and vocabulary represent the very foundation of learning to read and write. Children who do not develop strong oral language skills and vocabulary in these early years will find it difficult to keep pace with their peers. Children use the natural medium of language for thinking. Those who acquire a substantial vocabulary are often able to think more deeply, express themselves more clearly, and actually learn new things more quickly. This knowledge builds more knowledge, and more word power, so that by the time children get to school they will have two important skills that are critical to later reading success: knowledge about their world and the language to communicate with others. This paper suggests some strategies for building children's literacy skills and thereby encouraging lifelong learning.