 The
single most important way for children to develop the
knowledge they need to become successful readers later on is
for you to read aloud to them often-beginning when they are
babies. When reading books is a regular part of family life,
you send your child a message that books are important,
enjoyable and full of new things to learn. The books that
you pick to read with your child are very important. If you
aren't sure what books are right for your child, ask a
librarian to help you choose titles.
What You Need |
- Board books, predictable books and
books that label and name concepts (such as colors,
numbers, shapes)
- A children's dictionary (preferably
a sturdy one)
- Paper, pencils, crayons, markers
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What to Do |
- From the time your child is born,
make reading aloud to your child a part of your daily
routine. Pick a quiet time, such as just before you put
him to bed. This will give him a chance to rest between
play and sleep. If you can, read with him in your lap or
snuggled next to you so that he feels close and safe. As
he gets older, he may need to move around some as you
read to him. If he gets tired or restless, stop reading.
Make reading aloud a quiet and comfortable time that
your child looks forward to.
- Try to read to your child every day.
At first, read for no more than a few minutes at a time,
several times a day. As your child grows older, you
should be able to tell if she wants you to read for
longer periods. Don't be discouraged if you have to skip
a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just get
back to your daily routine as soon as you can. Most of
all, make sure that reading stays fun for both of you!
- Give your baby sturdy board books to
look at, touch and hold. Allow him to turn the pages,
look through the holes or lift the flaps. As your child
grows older, have books on shelves or in baskets that
are at his level. Encourage him to look through the
books and talk about them. He may talk about the
pictures and he may "pretend" to read a book that he has
heard many times.
- For a late toddler or early
preschooler, use reading aloud to help him learn about
books and print. As you read aloud, stop now and then
and point to letters and words; then point to the
pictures they stand for. Your child will begin to
understand that the letters form words and that words
name pictures. He will also start to learn that each
letter has its own sound-one of the most important
things your child can know when learning to read.
- As you read, talk with your child.
Encourage her to ask questions and to talk about the
story. Ask her to predict what will come next. Point to
things in books that she can relate to in her own life:
"Look at the picture of the penguin. Do you remember the
penguin we saw at the zoo?"
- Reread favorite books. Your child
will probably ask you to read favorite books over and
over. Even though you may become tired of the same
books, he will enjoy and continue to learn from hearing
them read again and again.
- Read "predictable" books to your
child. Predictable books are books with words or actions
that appear over and over. These books help children to
predict or tell what happens next.
- As you read, encourage your child to
listen for and say repeating words and phrases, such as
names for colors, numbers, letters, animals, objects and
daily life activities. Your child will learn the
repeated words or phrase and have fun joining in with
you each time they show up in the story. Pretty soon,
she will join in before you tell her.
- Be enthusiastic about reading. Read
the story with expression. Make it more interesting by
talking as the characters would talk, making sound
effects and using facial expressions and gestures.
- Buy a children's dictionary-if
possible, one that has pictures next to the words. Then
start the "let's look it up" habit.
- Make writing materials such as
crayons, pencils and paper available.
- Visit the library often. Begin
making weekly trips to the library when your child is
very young. See that your child gets his own library
card as soon as possible. Many libraries issue cards to
children as soon as they can print their names (you'll
also have to sign for your child).
- Show your child that you read, too.
When you take your child to the library, check out a
book for yourself. Then set a good example by letting
your child see you reading for yourself. Ask your child
to get one of her books and sit with you as you read
your book, magazine or newspaper. Don't worry if you
feel uncomfortable with your own reading ability. It's
the reading that counts. When your child sees that
reading is important to you, she may decide that it is
important to her, too.
- If you are uncomfortable with your
reading ability, look for family or adult reading
programs in your community. Your librarian can help you
locate such programs. Friends and relatives also can
read to your child and volunteers are available in many
communities to do the same.
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Information source: U.S. Department of Education - Helping Your Preschool Child |
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