Getting Your Preschooler Ready to Read

By Christianne Meneses Jacobs

Reading is more than just saying words. Reading is about comprehending, making relations, inferring, comparing and contrasting, developing vocabulary and critical thinking. Try asking your preschooler (4 and 5 years old) questions about the book you are reading together.

Talk about the story
Who are the characters?
What does the character do?
How does the character change?
What is the setting?
What do you think it is going to happen next?
What do you think the ending is going to be?
How would you change the ending?

Talk about the words and sounds
What sounds does the letter “(choose a letter)” make?
Can you find another word that starts with the same sound?
Can you think of another word that has the same sound?
Can you think of a word that rhymes with “(choose a word)”?

Talk about the vocabulary
What do you think this word “(choose a word)” means?
Is there another way to say the same thing?
Can you think of a word that means the opposite?

It is important that as parents, you help your child listen for the first sound in a word and notice when different words start with the same sound. Also, help your child listen for words that rhyme and introduce your child to new words and their synonyms. Talk about the letters in the alphabet and try to find them in the books you read. As you walk or go shopping with your child, point out the letters on labels, street signs and foods in the grocery store. Your child will begin to notice that everything in our environment contains letters, and that those letters make words and that words make sentences that we use to communicate thoughts and feelings.

Have fun reading!