Reading Readiness

When reading to your child, encourage having your child sit near you. Hold the book so that you and your child can both see the text and pictures.

Identify the title of the book. Point to the title and explain to your child that the title is the name of the book. You may wish to identify the author and illustrator. Discuss with your child that the author creates the story. The illustrator draws pictures to help us understand the story.

Point to the words. When reading a story to your child, use your pointer finger to track the words. Show with your pointer finger how the words go from left to right.

Read with expression. When reading to your child, use an animated voice and use voice inflections to emphasize the story. Reading expressively helps children understand the emotion of the story. The more animated the better!

Identify Story Components. Help your child determine where the story is taking place, who the main characters are, and what problems they are facing. 

Make predictions. Give your child opportunities to predict what will happen next by using the illustrations as a guide.

Summarize the story.  After you have finished reading the story, encourage your child to retell the story using his or her own words. Encourage your child to draw connections between the story and real life experiences.

Children will want to read favorite fictional (story) books over and over. You may want to share with your child several books from the same author. For example, if your child enjoys the book "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, you may want to share other books by Carle, like "The Grouchy Ladybug" or "The Very Busy Spider."

Read different versions of a familiar story. Compare how the stories are the same and how they are different.. Encourage your child to express feelings as to why one version is more favorable than the other.

Encourage your child to experience a non-fictional (information) book. Have your child identify an animal or insect he/she may be interested in. When visiting your local library, find

a beginner reading book on the topic your child has identified.. Discuss the pictures found in the book. Identify simple facts that can be shared with your child.

Encourage your child to draw a picture to show a fact he/she has learned. Give your child opportunities to share what he/she has learned with others.

You may want to go online to view videos of the animal or insect your child has shown. "National Geographic for Kids" often has child friendly videos to view.