Reading with Preschoolers: Part 2

I shared a few days ago some simple tips for getting your preschooler ready to read (if you missed it, check out Reading with Preschoolers:  Part 1).  Today, I have just a few more ideas!

4)  Get a library card!
Not only can you find an amazing variety of books at the library, you can also take advantage of story times, activities, and whatever else your library offers!  Visits to the library give your child a chance to see that reading is important -- not just to you -- but to many others, as well. 

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to figure out what books to check-out.  Your librarian is very knowledgeable in this area, so make sure to utilize his/her help (we love you, Mrs. Jo)!  I have also found these books helpful in selecting classics and picture books to encourage a love of literature:

Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families:  This is the newest book on my shelf, and I cannot say enough about it!  Not only does it share lists of books to read with your child -- it shares why and how you should read to your child.  Broken down into several categories, this book will guide you to noble, moral, and wonderfully written books based on age level.  Truly, you should definitely consider this book if you are overwhelmed by the choices out there or just want to make sure your child's reading material is more than "twaddle"!  It will inspire you!

Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt:  This book is also one of my go-to books when I'm wondering what we should check-out from the library next!  This book is broken down into a few more categories, and I especially appreciate the section for beginning readers.

5)  Teach lower-case letters first.
When you begin to do activities or read picture books about the alphabet, consider teaching lower-case letters first.  You will encounter a much higher percentage of lower-case letters than capitals in your reading! 

A nice set of lower-case magnets for the refrigerator or set of tactile letters is a good place to start.  You can also make your own.

6)  Worry more about letter sounds than names.
While it's great that your child can sing the alphabet song, it's not really that helpful!!  Let me clarify that a little bit more:  Eventually your child will need to know the names of the letters, but it is much more helpful to teach letter SOUNDS first.  When your child sees a B, you want him to say "Hey, look, a /b/" (letter sound) instead of "That's a b" (letter name). 

Some children are able to memorize the name and sound at the same time, but it is too much information for others!  It may feel a little strange at first to read through your favorite alphabet book identifying each letter by sound, but I believe it makes so much more sense!

Once your child knows her letter sounds, I recommend the book Mommy, Teach Me to Read: A Complete and Easy-to-Use Home Reading Program. 

7) Don't push too hard.
Especially with your first child, you probably have a tendency too push a little more (I'm guilty sometimes!), but your child doesn't have to read by the time he is three....or four...or five..or even six.  Each little one has his own time table.  My oldest knew her letter sounds when she was four, but I didn't push her to start to read.  We started some phonics and easy readers when she was five, and she was reading about grade level.  She turned six and in a span of about two months, she went from reading on a first grade level to a fifth grade level. 

Why am I telling you this?  I want you to see that your child doesn't have to read when they are three!  Don't get hung up on what the other kids your child's age are doing.  Trust yourself a little bit more -- you know your child!  Sure, if they show readiness signs, I'm all for it.  But if not, just let them play -- and build -- and sing -- and play some more!!

While I'm grateful that my daughter is reading well, it actually causes some trouble!  There are many times when I would be quite happy if she wasn't reading!!  For instance, public bathroom walls cause a lot of discussion!!  Picking out books that are challenging for her reading level but appropriate for her age and emotional development is tough.  So, I'm just cautioning you to consider these things -- I certainly didn't!


Though these tips may seem basic, I hope they have inspired you and will help you in your journey to raise a reader!!  I truly believe you can teach your child to read!

Reading with Preschoolers: Part 1

As tomorrow is Read Across America, I thought I'd share a few thoughts about teaching your child to read. 

If you've followed this blog very long, you've likely realized that I don't offer many printables or worksheets.  I've had some readers question this, and I've also missed out on some opportunities to promote my blog because I don't have these things! 

(Really, it comes down to my educational philosophy, I guess.  I suppose I should write more about that -- maybe another day!!)

Now, don't get me wrong:  I am not saying worksheets are bad -- I just don't think they are necessary for little ones!  I like to see preschoolers building with blocks, playing outside, using their imaginations, and thumbing through books rather than filling out a worksheet!

And so, the ideas I'm going to share about teaching your child to read have nothing to do with worksheets or pages of phonics (although I do believe phonics are necessary for a balanced approach to reading)!

I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I believe these components are absolutely essential to build proficient and avid readers!

(My little reader!!)

1)  Read aloud to your child.  Often.
Probably not what you expected for my top idea, huh?  However, this is absolutely the most crucial part of teaching your child to read.  They must be immersed in books!  And it needs to be often throughout the day!  A token book before bed is not what I'm talking about here (although I'm guilty of this sometimes)!  Chunks of time devoted to reading aloud throughout the day are going to make reading come alive for your child (you should even read to your babies and toddlers -- I used to read to the girls while they were in their high chairs)!  

One of my favorite books about how and why you should read aloud to your child is The Read-Aloud Handbook from Jim Trelease.  Equally inspiring is Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox.

2)  Read beside your child.
Do your children see you reading?  You can't expect them to embrace something you don't model!!  Even if it is just 10 or 15 minutes reading a chapter from a book, your children can see that reading is important to you. They are watching you!

Here's how we do it:  our Bible time in the morning consists of me reading my Bible and the girls "reading" their Bibles right alongside me.  We also have a quiet time in the afternoon where we all read our own books. 
 
Also, I really want to encourage dads here!  Please, read in front of your children.  Little boys especially NEED to see you reading and to hear you read aloud to them! 
 
3)  Fill your home with print.
A "print-rich" environment is correlated with academic success, so fill your home with books, magazines, and newpapers!  Even when my girls were babies, I had a basket of board books in the living room and baskets of books in their bedrooms.  Now, each girl has her own bookshelf filled with books! 

You may not have a lot of room, but even just a box of books under the bed is an excellent start!  If money is an issue, look at garage sales, used bookstores, or an online service like Paperback Swap. 

On Thursday, I'll share a few more tips to help your little one become a reader in Part 2 of this series!!