Promoting a Love of Reading in Your Preschooler

Though the development of reading skills varies from child to child, encouraging a reading environment at home is an important step toward literacy. Here are some tips to help promote a love of reading:

• Set aside time each day for reading. Before naps and bedtime are logical choices, but reading in bed first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day.
• Build a library at home. Choose books that your child is sure to be interested in and make reading materials readily available throughout the house.
• Create a calm and relaxed reading atmosphere, where self-expression and experimentation with words are encouraged. This will help children make positive associations with reading.
• Make reading fun. Experiment with different tones of voice for each character, or use sound effects and gestures.
• Involve children in reading. Have them fill in words or finish sentences. Discuss different aspects of the story as you read.
• Engage children in the illustrations. Illustrators often create their own little sub-stories within the images of the book.
• Repetition is important for understanding concepts and developing word recognition. While parents may tire of the same story over and over again, children seldom do.
• Point to words as you read them or follow along with your finger. This will help children to appreciate the connection between the written word and the story. When they are ready, you can also ask them to pick out familiar letters or words.
• Don't limit your word play to reading - talk, sing and tell oral stories as well. Well-developed verbal skills are the basis for future reading.
• Have your child dictate stories for you to write or type. Later, read the stories together.

For more information:

• Classroom Connections - Literacy Connections http://www.classroomconnections.ca/en/literacycnct.php

By Rochelle Strauss