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As a parent, you become immediately aware of how important it is to prepare your toddler to read. Before they learn how to read, however, children need to begin preparing to learn how to read. 90% of a child’s brain is developed before the age of five. From the moment they enter the world, children begin working toward learning how to walk, talk, understand and read. Parents become a child’s first teacher. Using these 4 awesome tips will help you get your child ready to learn how to read by developing these early literacy skills.
Sing Songs To Prepare Your Toddler To Read
Singing introduces rhythm and rhyme and makes it easy for kids to remember words. The next time you’re in the car with your child, pop in a CD or turn on the radio and sing along. As your toddler gets older, encourage her to sing along with you.
Use 150 Toddler Tunes to help teach your toddler to read.
Naming Objects In Your Home
Everyday objects in your home is an opportunity for your child to learn words. Each day, pick out one or two objects, point to the object and then say the word. For example: point to a chair and say, “chair.” If your child isn’t talking yet, ask questions and listen to their answer and repeat the word.
Use Magnetic Letters To Learn The Alphabet and How To Spell Words
Who didn’t grow up with magnetic letters on their refrigerator? I know I did. And so did my children. It’s a household staple that I’m sure you use in your house as well. Use those magnetic letters to teach your child the alphabet as well as how to spell 2 or 3 letter words on your refrigerator. Say the word several times to your child and have them say the word to you. In addition, encourage him or her to sort the letters and put them in ABC order. Letter recognition is a key factor of reading readiness.
Place these letter and number magnets on your refrigerator and watch your toddler begin to understand letters, numbers, and words.
Use Story Time To Prepare Your Toddler To Read
Being able to understand a story is the first step in helping your toddler prepare to read, and it’s important to overall reading comprehension. After you read a story to your child, have your toddler retell the story back to you. They should, at a minimum, be able to tell you what happened in the beginning, in the middle and what happened at the end of the story.
Entering preschool and kindergarten with the necessary skills to be ready to read is important. There is no greater predictor of a child’s success in school than becoming an early reader. Hopefully by adding these tips as part of your normal everyday routine, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to work these simple activities into your child’s life to help them become early readers.
