Helping children become ready for reading means more than just teaching them the names and sounds of the letters in the alphabet. It means helping children become interested in reading and letting them know that reading can help us in many different ways in our lives. Here are some things that you can do to help your toddler or preschooler develop skills needed for learning to read later on in school.

Let your Child know that Reading is Helpful to People

• As you walk or drive through the neighborhood, casually mention some of the words you see around you, like stop signs or traffic signs.
• Show your child signs for places you regularly visit like the bank, the post office or the grocery store and tell your child what the words say.
• If you see that your child is interested in the pictures or words on cereal boxes or other packages, read the words and tell your child what they mean.

Help your Child See the Connection Between Reading and Writing.

• When you write down telephone numbers or take messages, show your child what you have written.
• When you make a grocery list, show it to your child. You can say something like, "Here are the things we have to buy at the store: bread, milk, juice," and point to each word as you say it.
• When your child draws a picture, write down what your child says about the picture and read it back.

Encourage your Child to Play about Reading and Writing.

• Save used envelopes, old calendars, stickers and small sheets of paper to create an "office" play box that includes tape, pens or pencils, a toy telephone. You can bring out these materials to occupy your child when you have work to do, like paying bills or keeping records...or any time at all.
• Keep a box of catalogs, magazines, and old phone books for your child to use in pretend play.
• When your child has a friend over for a meal or snack, let the children pretend about being in a restaurant, making menus and taking orders on a small note pad.

Find Ways to Help your Child Enjoy Books and Reading.

• Create a cozy place for reading and looking at books.
• Make reading a part of your child's bedtime routine.
• Carry a little book in your pocket or bag and read to your child while you are riding in a bus or waiting in the clinic or doctor's office.
• Plan trips to the library for storytime or for choosing books.
• Show your child that you like to read by setting aside time for reading the newspaper or a book. Give your child some books or magazines to look at while you have some quiet time together.

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