All parents want their children to be able to read, write, and speak well. But it won’t happen overnight. Literacy starts at birth and develops over the years. Jump in and start reading with your preschooler!

What is Literacy?

Literacy means being able to read and write. But it means much more. Literacy is being able to speak, and to understand what you read, write, and hear. Children who are “literate” know that sounds, letters, pictures, and ideas go together and have meaning.

Ways to Build Your Preschooler’s Literacy

Continue visiting the library.
Try to go to the library once a week and let your child help you pick out books.

Have a special place for books.
Encourage proper handling of books and materials.

Introduce book marks.
You and your child can get these from the library or make them yourselves!

Give your child LOTS of reading and writing materials to use.
Supply them with books, magazines, crayons, pencils, and colored paper.

Play language games.
Have your child name words that begin with “B”-boy, bird, bat, ball.

Point out words that rhyme.
Ask your child what rhymes with “cat”-hat, bat, mat, rat.

Ask questions about the story, and let children ask questions too!
Use the story to have a conversation with your child. Talk about familiar activities and objects you see in the illustrations or read about in the story.

Let children tell the story or take turns reading.
Children as young as three years old can memorize a story, and many children love to be creative through storytelling. Let your preschooler fill in the blanks as you read the story. “Then Goldilocks said…”

Create books together.
Make photo books of family members. Cut picture out of magazines or catalogs to make word books. As your child gets older, have them dictate a story to you and then draw the pictures to go along with the words.

Make books a part of your daily routine.
The more that books are woven into children’s everyday
lives, the more likely they will be able to see reading as a pleasure and a gift.

• Meal times
• In the car or bus
• Child care drop off
• Doctor’s office
• Bath time
• Bed time

What Preschoolers Like in Books

• Books with more words, complex sentences, and longer stories.
• Books that can be read to them over and over again.
• Books with stories they can remember and can retell as they practice “reading.”
• Books about familiar objects.
• Informational books that teach: alphabet, number, animal, or “how to” books.
• Books about going to school and making friends.

Make Literacy a Daily Habit for You and Your Preschooler!

Your preschooler has a lot of language and literacy skills now, an you want to provide fun ways to keep them growing and get ready for Kindergarten!