with comprehension down the line . When you talk about a story with your child , you ’ re helping them build their vocabulary , and helping them to make sense of what is going on .
Draw attention to the words your preschooler sees every day . Any time you see a word , whether it ’ s on a passing sign or a cereal box , point it out and read it to your preschooler . Making a shopping list ? Let your preschooler help by writing the words as you dictate the letters .
Ask your preschooler to tell you a story . Write it down so you can read it back to them later . Point to each word as you say it . If you can , put it into book format with pictures .
Pull out a bunch of old magazines and a pair of safety scissors . Together with your preschooler , cut out words you find . See if you can find a picture to match . Alternatively , you can cut individual letters out to make words .
Let your preschooler know that everything has a word associated with it . Take index cards and label everything — the couch , the bathtub , the refrigerator , and so on . Eventually , your preschooler will absorb these words and be able to recognize them in books and on signs .
Ask friends or relatives to send your preschooler cards and letters that you can read together . Make sure the handwriting is clear and legible and that the words are easy to understand . Once you are finished reading , help your preschooler write back to their new pen pal .
Learning to read , while ultimately rewarding , can be a frustrating , time-consuming process for both you and your child . If you find your child is getting tired or cranky during your reading activities , take a break and try again another day . Remember , you won ’ t teach your child to read in a day . Instead , your goal is to build their interest level and help prepare them for reading as they mature . More importantly , you want to build a love for books and show your child how reading can open their world to new and exciting information , ideas , and adventure .
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