Read to me!

Even before your child can read for himself, you can give him an ear for language, a thirst for learning and a love of books. Researchers now know that a child’s early experiences with books greatly influence his ability to learn to read. Entering kindergarten with these early literacy skills increases a child’s chances for academic success.

Reading aloud opens the door for readers

Reading aloud and sharing stories with your child provides a foundation for reading and helps your child build the skills and concepts he needs before he can learn to read. 

As you read aloud to your toddler or preschooler, remember that you're not teaching your child to read; you're building the preliminary skills your child needs to learn before he will learn to read, like the difference between print and pictures, the directionality of text and distinguishing the beginning and end of a story. Encourage your child to name items in the pictures and describe them. Build curiosity by letting him turn the page to see what happens next.

Here are six skills you can help your child build early on, before learning to read: 

1. Print Motivation: An interest in books and reading.
2. Narrative Skills: The ability to describe things and events and tell stories.
3. Letter Awareness: The understanding that letters are different from each other, and the eventual recognition of their names and sounds.
4. Book and Print Awareness: The consciousness of letters and words on a page, and knowing how to handle a book.
5. Vocabulary: The ability to understand and use the correct names for things.
6. Phonological Awareness: The ability to identify the smaller sounds in words.