The value of reading to your preschooler can’t be overstated, but it’s also important that they “read” to themselves. The public library is a fabulous source of reading materials for all ages, including preschoolers. How do you go about encouraging a prereader to “read” their own books?
- Paper books are the best choice for young children.
- Look for picture books with rich illustrations that tell the story as much as the words.
- Find books in subject areas of interest to your child.
- Create an atmosphere conducive to reading by turning off the TV and all electronic devices.
- After you’ve read a bedtime story to your little one, extend your child’s bedtime by 15 minutes if they spend that 15 minutes reading to themself in bed.
For more tips on developing your child’s literacy skills, check out these links:
- Reading Rockets
- What Parents Need to Know About the Research on How Kids Learn to Read from The Hechinger Report out of Columbia University. Keep in mind that this pertains to children in early elementary school (kindergarten through 3rd grade). I included it because some children start reading in preschool, and this article shows how to best support these very early readers.
- How to Encourage a Love of Books and Reading in Preschoolers by Iva-Marie Palmer.
- Yale affiliated Haskins Global Literacy Hub.
