Early Literacy

Kansas FAMILIES Read to Preschoolers

Reading to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers is one of the most important things that can be done for their literacy and brain development. Family members provide the motivation and encouragement young children must have to develop a love of reading.

Early Language Leads to Early Reading

Learning to speak by hearing and using a wide variety of language helps children learn to read. When speaking to young children, play with sounds. For example:

Tongue twisters
Silly rhymes
Made up words- think and talk like Dr. Seuss!
Word/sound substitutions such as “Make, Take, Bake”
Songs and finger plays- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Itsy-bitsy Spider, or other childhood favorites

If children live in a bilingual home, be sure to read in the primary language as well as in English. Children will be given the wonderful gift of learning to read and speak more than one language.

What are the best books for Preschoolers?

ABC books
Board books
Picture books
Rhyming books
Touch/feel books
1 sentence/page books
Favorite books (read for the hundredth time)
Books with repeated phrases/sentences
Real-life photo books
Home-made books
Wordless books
Photo albums

If stumped as to which books children would like be sure to talk with your local public or school librarian. They can provide a wealth of great ideas! Or check websites, such as The Children’s Literature Web Guide or Kansas Kids, Ready for Learning!

Where should I keep my child’s books?

Keep books or other reading material at child’s level at all times!

Store books in tubs, boxes, and baskets or on low, accessible shelves.

Keep reading material in every room of the house. Have reading material in the car, in the diaper bag or in a purse. Make sure that children can and do handle books at anytime of their choosing.

Reading isn’t all about books:

Point out different kinds of print in the environment:

Magazines
Cereal boxes
Catalogs
Email
Newspapers
Signs
Advertisements

Listen to an audio book together.
Have children look for the letter “D” when driving in the car.

When is the best time to read books?

A parent’s life is hectic at best- so how to squeeze in time for reading in our busy lives? Take a book everywhere- doctor’s office, in the car, on the bus, check-out line at the grocery, on the potty, while you are cleaning up a meal- let your child look at books and pick their favorite to read when you are finished with the dishes. The easiest time to read is the oldest in the book- make it a part of child’s bedtime routine. Just like exercise, reading doesn’t have to be done all in one sitting, but a total of 20 minutes a day is ideal.

How should I read so my child will listen?

Use voices for the different characters
Make sound effects when appropriate (for example, the sound of a car)
Follow the words with your fingers
Ask children to turn pages
Ask them to identify pictures- where’s the…?

How do I know they’re listening?

Make predictions from title/cover art- “Look at the picture on the front.
What do you think this book is going to be about? Let’s see if you’re right!”
Make it relate to real life- “Ooo, look there’s a dog in this book, do you remember when your aunt let you pet her dog?”
Have children summarize the book half-way through.
Relate the book to another book- “This book is about vegetables. Have we read any other books about vegetables? How is this book the same or different?”