Helping Children Learn About Reading

Why read a book to an infant who does not yet knowwords, or fill in missing words if you hesitate.
the meaning of a word-or of words at all? Why sing• Let toddlers "write" shopping lists with you.
to a toddler who cannot understand your song?They may want to watch you sort coupons and
Both of these activities help children make connectionsengage in other grocery store activities.
between words and meaning. They also help to• Take short trips to new places and talk
create a warm, safe environment for children and leadabout what is happening around you. If possible, read
to a lifetime love of reading and learning.together about similar events beforehand and again
Some parents assume that learning to read starts withafterwards.
memorizing the alphabet and sounding out words, but• Give children magnetic letters for the
actually the fundamentals of reading begin much earlier.refrigerator, and begin spelling out words and names
Adults lay the foundation for reading every day, whenas toddlers are introduced to them.
they point out objects and describe what they arePreschoolers
doing while dressing an infant, grocery shopping with a• Encourage preschool children to carry out
toddler, or cooking with a preschooler.the steps to written recipes, or read printed labels at
The most important thing is that teaching children aboutthe store.
reading becomes an activity that brings children closer• At four or five, children may begin to ask
to the caring adults in their lives. Here are some tips forquestions about the print they see in books. Books with
families who want to help their children makelabeled pictures help children to connect words and
connections between meaning and words.objects more easily.
Infants• Play picture-card games with your child-but
• Talk or sing to your baby when you changeremember, they may not always play by the rules at
his diaper, give him a bath, feed him lunch or join him inthis age!
play.• Provide a variety of materials to encourage
• Introduce cardboard or cloth books withchildren to "play" at writing and reading-checks or
brightly colored pictures. Be aware that at this point,traffic tickets, menus or greeting cards.
your baby might enjoy looking at, tossing, or chewingPrimary grade children
the books more than being read to!• Continue to read with your child, especially
• Help increase your baby's vocabulary byat bedtime, even if she has already learned to read.
playing "What's that?" or "Where's the teddy bear?"• Visit the library on a regular basis to make
when enjoying books together.books a regular part of children's lives. Show children
• Point out words on signs at the park, at thethat you read books and magazines for information
zoo, or when walking or driving.and enjoyment.
• As children begin to notice letters on blocks• Listen to the stories children write, as well
or other toys, name the letters for them. Read wordsas their jokes or riddles. Encourage them to write
aloud and explain what they mean.down their ideas.
Toddlers• Play word games such as Boggle or
• Reading stories before bed makes a goodScrabble with your child.
transition between active play and restful time.Features advice from experienced dads on parenting,
Toddlers may ask you to read their favoritespregnancy, adoption, newborn baby, and on raising kids
repeatedly. They may begin to connect pictures withand teens.