Preschoolers love to pretend, building complex worlds in their imaginations. Pretending
is as beneficial as it is fun—pretending to read is a critical step
in the process of learning to read. It is also a step in the right direction for your
child to recite a story from memory or make one up while
looking at pictures. Very soon, the connection between what your
preschooler is reciting and those funny symbols on the page will take
hold, and "true" reading will begin.
Children will often scribble and "write" letters before they
can read. Many will "write" on their own and tell stories from these "writings." As you are developing your child's literacy by reading aloud, it is
important to encourage writing as well. After all, literacy includes
the ability to write just as much as the ability to read.
Try these activities:
Put away the
markers and crayons for a bit, and let your preschooler have a pencil. While markers and crayons encourage drawing, a pencil will convey the idea
of writing.
Write a grocery list
or phone message together.
Help your child make familiar words with magnetic letters. These
work great with cookie sheets!
Have
your child help with writing birthday and holiday cards, or write a letter
to a relative or neighbor.
Write
your child's stories in a "book," have your child illustrate it, then read
it together.
Let
your child cover the sidewalk or driveway with "child-size" words and
pictures that will disappear with the rain.
Did
you know...
Studies
show becoming a better reader helps a child do better in all subjects.
Books for Preschoolers
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Books for Parents
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