From the earliest days, talk with your child about what you are
reading. You might point to pictures and name what is in them. When he is
ready, ask him to do the same. See if he can find the little mouse in the
picture, or whatever is fun and right for the book. Later, when you read
stories, read slowly and stop now and then to think aloud about what you've
read. From the time your child is able to talk, ask him "What do you think will
happen next?" or "Do you know what a palace is?" Answer his questions and, if
you think he doesn't understand something, stop and ask. Don't worry if you
break into the flow of a story to make something clear.
Nothing is more
important in helping children become readers than reading books aloud with
them.
Learning About
Print
Reading aloud together is a perfect time to help a late toddler or
early preschooler learn what print is. Now and then, stop and point to letters
and words as you read them; then point to the pictures they stand for. Your
child will begin to understand that the letters form words and words name the
picture. You are also letting him know that each letter has its own sound. This
is one of the most important things your child can know when learning to read.
By the time children are 4, most have begun to understand that
printed words have meaning. By age 5, most will begin to know that not just the
story, but the printed words themselves go from left to right.
(Follow the words with your finger to help get this message
across.)
In late kindergarten or early first grade, your child may begin to
read from print himself. He may want to do it instead of you. Let him! But be
sure he wants to do it. It should be something he is proud and eager to
do, not a lesson.
What books you pick to read are also important. Ask a librarian to
help you find books that are right for your child's age. As your child grows
older, the librarian can continue to help find exciting books for both of you.
Introduce your baby to cardboard or cloth books with big, simple
pictures of things she sees every day. Your child might want to chew or throw
the book at first. But after a while, she will become more interested as you
point to pictures and talk about them. When the baby becomes a toddler, she
will enjoy helping choose books to read.
As she grows into a preschooler and kindergartner, the two of you
can look for books with longer stories and more words on the pages. Also look
for books with repeating words and sentences that she can begin to read or
recognize when she sees them on the page. By early first grade, add to the mix
some books designed for beginning readers, including some with chapters.
Keep in mind that during these years children most often enjoy
books with people, places, and things that are like those they know. The books
could be about where you live or about parts of your culture, like your
religion, your holidays, or the way you dress. If your child is interested in
special things, like dinosaurs or ballerinas, look for books about them.
Also, from the toddler years through early first grade, look for
books with poems and other rhymes. Remember when your baby heard your talking
sounds and tried to imitate them? Rhymes are a later step. Rhymes, along with
repeated words and phrases, teach your child about sounds and words. They also
spark excitement about what comes next, which adds fun and adventure to
reading.
Show Your Child You
Read
When you take your child to the library, check out a book for you.
Then set a good example by reading yourself. Ask your child to get one of his
books and join you while you read a book, magazine, or newspaper. Don't worry
if you feel uncomfortable with your own reading ability.
Just doing it counts. When your child sees that reading is
important to you, he may decide it is important to him, too.
How Does a Book Work?
Children are fascinated by how a book looks and feels. They see
how easily you work with it, and they want to make it work, too. When your
toddler watches you handle books, she begins to learn that a book is for
reading, not tearing or tossing around. Before she is 3, she may even pick one
up and pretend to read, an important sign that she is beginning to know what a
book is for. As your child becomes a preschooler, she is learning that:
- a book has a front cover;
- a book has a beginning and an end;
- a book has pages;
- a page has a top and a bottom;
- you turn pages one at a time to follow the story; and
- you read a story from left to right.
As you read with your 4- or 5-year-old, begin to remind her about
these things. Read the title on the cover. Talk about the picture there. Point
out where the story starts, and later where it ends. Let your child help turn
the page. When you start a new page, point to where the words of the story
continue and keep following them with your finger. These things take time to
learn. But when your child learns them, she has solved some of reading's
mysteries.
This is a Curious George and the Birthday Surprise Book. In this Curious George and the Birthday Surprise book, the man with the yellow hat tells George that he is planning a surprise so of course George is curious. Before long George finds a hat, noisemakers, decorations, and games. It must be a birthday! But whose birthday is it? ThatĘs the surprise! Reading Level is ages 5 to 8Paperback with 24 pagesAuthors are Margaret Rey and H.A. Rey
This is a Curious George Goes to the Beach Book. In this Curious George Goes to the Beach book, George and the man with the yellow hat go to the beach. What fun George has at the beach! What fun he has feeding the seagulls! It's fun, that is, until they fly away with something valuable and George must find a clever way to save the day.Reading Level is ages 4 to 8Paperback with 32 pages. Authors are Margaret Rey and H.A. Rey
New Mother Gift Ideas
Flowers Same Day Delivery