Preparing Preschoolers for Reading Can Be Fun for Both of You

Reading readiness for preschoolers can be done every day at home. Many families like to read before bed because it often helps the child settle down before bed and becomes part of a bedtime routine. However, reading time can be any time of the day or even multiple times a day.

Read To Your Child Daily

Try to read to your child for at least thirty minutes a day, but any reading is better than nothing. Again, most children look forward to reading before bed for some cuddling time with a parent but reading can be any time. When you are too tired to play with your child, suggest a book and you can relax and still be spending quality time with your child and teaching him or her.

Give Your Child Books

As long as your preschool doesn't rip or color on books, let him have access to his own books. He can "read" them to himself and will enjoy looking at the pictures. Young children also like to look at magazines especially ones with pictures of other children or animals in them. Before putting your magazines in the recycling, let your child browse them first.

Left To Right, Top To Bottom

Use your finger to point to each word to show your child that reading is done from left to right and top to bottom. Sometimes this isn't always practical as it covers the pictures, but try to do this if your child doesn't object. This also teaches your child that a group of letters makes a word and that word makes up a story.

Let Your Child Read To You

Let your child pretend to read to you. If he or she gets flustered and can't think of what to say, ask open ended questions about the pictures.

Alphabet and Phonics

Practice singing the alphabet multiple times a day starting around age one. Then you can work on pointing to a letter and saying the name with your child. Also work on phonics or what the letter "says". Learning phonics will help your child learn to read much easier when he is ready.

Recognize Own Name

Work on spelling your child's name with him when he is about three years old. Try to hang up a sign or poster with his name on it. Point to the letters as you say them and have your child repeat them. Eventually he will be able to point to the letters and say it himself.

Increase Vocabulary

Increase your child's vocabulary by learning about animals, animal sounds, flowers, body parts or anything that can be named. Define words your child may not know and encourage him to ask what words mean.

These simple tips can be adapted into your daily life but have a very profound impact on your child's reading success. By getting ready to read at an early age, and having fun doing so, you can help your child be a great reader when he is in school.