Children use language structures as a basis for learning how to read. Therefore, literacy learning for young children must incorporate the child's personal use of oral language. It is their personal oral language that supports them as they attempt new concepts and become better readers. Because of the important role that oral language plays in a young child's literacy development, it is of the utmost importance that adults who work with young children support the growth of the child's spoken language beginning in infancy. This article discusses activities that will support oral language development in young children so that they will have a strong linguistic foundation upon which to build literacy skills. Through interactions with the young child that include quality conversations and play, the child's language development will be strengthened, resulting in a greater foundation for literacy learning.