Tips for a Reading-Ready Child

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Have you ever been in the middle of reading and wondered how do I know how to do this?  It is similar to when you drive to work and did not even think about where to turn.  It is amazing how many skills and actions we once learned have become muscle memory. When we read as adults, it all comes naturally to us since we mastered elementary-level reading skills a long time ago.  

When I initially started teaching first grade, the idea of teaching a child to actually read words seemed like a monumental task.  Especially since I have not had to personally sound out the word cat or pig since I was in first grade.  Reading is an important, lifelong, and enjoyable skill that needs constant practicing at a young age.  As a teacher, I have found that students succeed more as readers when they have practice at home.

Setting your child up to be a strong reader is so important, especially when about 37% of American children are below reading level.  The good news is, children’s brains are like sponges from birth to age six.  During that age bracket, a child’s brain works differently and can soak up incredible amounts of information.  This is why it is often so easy for toddlers to learn a second language.  

Parents and caregivers need to utilize this learning age.  Your child can be learning to read before letters and sounds are taught with a variety of reading readiness activities.  Reading readiness skills are vital to literacy development and a child’s ability to learn to read words.  There are a variety of simple activities you can do daily and weekly to make your child reading-ready.

1. First Sound Game -say a simple word to your child and ask your child what sound that word starts with.  For example, say pig, and your child should say the /p/ sound.  Your child does not need to know what letters make what sounds for this activity, but you may want to do some example words first. This can be done using words in your surroundings such as while waiting in line at the supermarket, while in the car, or while at dinner time. You can use picture cards like these: Picture Words Flash Cards.

2. Rhyme Time– First explain how words that rhyme sound the same at the end.  You can use two hands and say the word fox making the /f/ with and showing your left hand and /ox/ with your right hand.  Then, say the word box with /b/ with your left hand and /ox/ with your right hand.  You can then do a variety of simple words with your child. For a step up, provide your child with a fill-in-the-blank rhyming sentence.  For example, the fox jumped over the (box).  Do a few examples first with your child to explain that the word needs to make sense.  

3. Comprehension Check– While your child is watching a television show or movie, press the pause button.  Ask your child who the episode or movie is about (the character), where it takes place (the setting), and other questions about what is happening in the episode or movie.

4. Eyes On Text– Research proves that when children read 10 minutes a day it increases their word exposure to 600,000 words a year.  For pre-reading children, this can be children listening to you read.  You can sit next to the child to show them how to hold a book and how you are utilizing the words.  You can also sit across from your child to engage the child differently in the book.  Eyes on text can also be a virtual book on a technology device.  Eyes on text can even be the child flipping through books and magazines and looking at the pictures and words.  The more “eyes on text” time a child has, the stronger their basic reading skills will be.  It also will increase the child’s reading stamina (ability to focus independently for longer periods of time) as the child grows.    The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith is a hilarious book to read to children! Pete the Cat is always a favorite and is very interactive!

5. Pretend Reading– After reading a book to your child, have your child “read” the book.  Your child may not be able to read the words, but children can practice holding a book the right way, understanding the purpose of words, and storytelling.  You can also see what your child remembers from your reading (this is listening comprehension).  Books with repetition are best for this! I Went Walking by Sue Williams is a great one!