When children are born, they immediately begin to look for meaning to the world around them! In some ways, they are already "reading". They may not be looking at words on paper or even looking at a book, newspaper, magazine, or a site online, however, they are attaching our words to world around them. As parents, grandparents, teachers or even day care providers, we can begin preparing our children for what will come faster than we may like! The American Academy of Pediatrics really encourages pediatricians to encourage us to begin reading to children as soon as they are born. I actually began reading to my daughter before she was born!
Talking to your children throughout the day about what you are doing, what they are doing, asking them questions and answering them helps to build a larger vocabulary... even if they can't answer you! Say things like, "Good morning! The Sun is up already, time for you go get up too!" Take a peek outside the window to see the morning sun! It may be laundry day so as you grab their clothes from their hamper you could say "It's time to wash your clothes so they are nice and clean for the next time you wear them." Then head to the laundry room and show and tell them how you wash their clothes! It also helps them learn word patterns and word associations.
When you pick up a book to read to your child, use your finger to point to all the words as you speak them. This will help your child as see the importance of the characters on the pages. It will show them that those symbols have meaning and that they are the source of the story being read to them.
Create different voices for each character in the story. Use sound effects or exclamation where appropriate in the story. This engages the child and allows them to differentiate who is saying what! It also gives a demonstration of sounds they may hear... such as "craaaaack! & boom!" as the tree trunk breaks and falls to the ground!
Encourage your toddler to teach reading a story book to their favorite stuffed animal or doll using the pictures as clues! It doesn't matter that the words are different from what is printed in their story book or if the book is turned upside down. Maybe offer hints to them such as "Your friend, Whatif Monster, doesn't know that the book is upside down. Can you show him how to fix it?"
In the morning as you sit and read the morning paper, have your child sit down beside you with a book of their own so you can read together. Kids like to imitate the things mom and dad do, so make sure that you show them how important reading is to you and that you enjoy it!
You don't have to only read at bedtime! Read at all times of the day! Start your day by reading a story to your little ones as they are waking up. This eases them into the daily routine instead of waking up and being in a rush to get things done. After lunch time, bring out a picture book to tell a story as they let their meal settle or before they are put down for their afternoon nap.
As our children grow older, you will want to continue keeping the focus on making the words and the story fun. Having a larger vocabulary will help their understanding of words when they begin sounding out the words themselves.
Allow your preschooler to choose which book will be read. Give them options to choose from! This will help them to feel like they have a say. If they are forced to listen to a book they have no interest in at the time, it's likely they will not cooperate and sit to read together even if it's a book they've loved in the past.
When talking to your child or even reading books, replace some of the words with "larger words". If the child does not understand, then it gives you an opportunity to teach them that different words can mean the same thing. An example would be, 'manufacture' being a different word for the word 'make', yet, they mean the same thing.
Take your children on a little field trip to the library! Show them how many books there are, how they are arranged on the shelves, how to check them out, etc. Make it somewhat of a big deal! Something special! They will want to do it again and again!
While on your little field trip to the library or even to the grocery store, school and shopping center, point out all the different signs on the side of the road, in the stores, or schools! This will show our children just how important reading is in our daily lives and not just something we do for fun.
While you are at the grocery store doing your weekly grocery shopping, have your toddler help you write out your grocery list. Then, when you get to the store, show how the words on your list are also on the products and signs of the products you are buying! When making out your shopping list, use the stores weekly sales flier to show them how the words are used there too!
When you preschooler is ready to begin learning words, help them make letter associations or connections. Take the letter's B, D, & C and have them pair them up with the coordinating Book, stuffed Dog, or toy Car. Ask them "Which letter goes with which toy?"
Have your child act out parts of the story. For example, if you are reading "Noisy Farm", every time you mention the word "cow" have your child make out the sound of a cow... "moo".. This makes the books more fun as it engages them in the reading of the book!
Another fun way to engage them in books, is by having your child write and illustrate their own books! This allows your child to put the words in his head onto paper and draw a picture of what they are envisioning! Use several sheets of paper to tell the story, staple it together along the side or use a folder with fasteners to create a cover. You can also help them create their own story with these fun "Write Your Own" books.
Show your child that books hold a place of honor in your home! Frame pages from books and use as decorations in your home!
Another great way to teach preschoolers word association is to make labels and place them on things around your home! You can label things like dressers, mirrors, tables, doors, and so much more! This will allow them to recognize words by associating it to what the label is on. You can also label their dresser drawers with things like "socks", "shirts", "pants", etc. with a picture of each! Then allow them to put their own clothes away when laundry is done!
Dance to the beat of nursery rhymes! Grab your toy tambourines and drums and start dancing! This helps teach your littles ones the rhythms of speech! Want a fun book to read along with as you "Shake-a shake, crash" your tambourine? Check out Eric Ode's "Dan the Taxi Man"! A fund rhyming book that will have your kids singing and dancing along with "Dan, Beep! Beep!, the Taxi Man"...
When you are writing your "to do list" encourage your child to write one of their own! Even if they don't know all their letters! They will have fun checking off their accomplishments from their list!
Cook up some fun! Another great way to show how words are important in our daily lives is to write up a recipe using simple words! Have your child help you make and prepare the recipe! Not only does this teach them how words are important in our daily lives, it teaches them an important skill they will need when they are much older AND... they may just enjoy eating dinner tonight knowing they helped prepare it! Check out this fun cookbook that is perfect for beginners! There is over 150 recipes free of the hard cooking terms and is jargon free! Just fun recipes to create from sandwiches to baking cakes. Your child will love being able to "Start to Cook" and share their creations with the family!
Don't be too quick to rid of books that your children have outgrown! A children's library should contain three levels of books! The first being favorites they may have memorized after reading it over and over.... like the "That's Not My" book they have read over and over and over! The second being, books that are at his current reading level. And third, books that are slightly difficult for him to read. We all like to just "go back to basics" sometimes, so having books he already knows, helps reinforce his self confidence in reading while having books slightly harder, brings on a challenge and helps him to learn more.
Kids often come to us with some sticky questions! Instead of dodging the question, encourage them to help you look up the answer either online or in a reference book. This will show how reading is a great way to access the information they want to know.
Leave notes! Packing your kids lunch in the morning, pack a little note inside! Notice that they cleaned up their mess in their bedroom without being told, leave them a note thanking them! You can even leave little notes on their pillows to find when they head to bed! Kids love getting little messages that are written special just for them!
While out running errands, you can expand their vocabulary too by introducing new words such as "Deposit" and "Withdrawal" while banking. Explain to them what the difference is and why you do it.
Kids are made readers in the lap of their parents! It's not that hard to build a foundation. Use a bit of creativity, this list, and go have some fun as you engage with your child, build a special bond and memories between you and your children all while teaching them that reading is fun and that it's important for their futures.
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