FOCUSING ON READING READINESS FOR CHILDREN
Many parents look forward to announcing that their child can read , but actually children are reading long before they can interpret the pages of the book . Reading requires the proper building blocks before it can begin .
Reading begins with language and how it relates to your child ’ s world . Creating a language-rich environment will help your child ’ s vocabulary grow . Language develops with every interaction you have with your child . Verbalize your child ’ s world and he or she will begin to repeat sounds and syllables .
Remember , it takes many interactions with the alphabet and phonemic awareness for reading skills to develop . The following are some easy-to-follow steps for your child when it comes to reading :
Infant to One Year
• Play appropriate music ; it leads to acute sound discrimination used later in letter sound discrimination .
• Read simple board books with one picture per page , contrasting colors or simple pictures , and point to the items on each page .
• While reading to your child , make faces – it ’ s fun and your child will notice subtle differences .
• Describe everything ; name colors , shapes and sizes .
• Verbalize and describe your child ’ s actions .
First Steps ( 12-18 months )
• Read longer stories to your child and allow him or her to interact with the book – pointing , turning pages or even turning the book upside-down .
• Name objects as your child points .
YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST POSSIBLE START .
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
PARENTING
NOW ENROLLING
ALL AGES , INCLUDING
KINDERGARTEN !
The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems , Inc . Programs and ages may vary . Goddard Systems , Inc . program is AdvancED accredited . © Goddard Systems , Inc . 2016
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• Sing and give characters of books funny voices .
• Talk about the stop light ( e . g ., red circles mean ‘ stop ,’ green circles mean ‘ go ’).
• Play with objects that are similar and point out the differences ( e . g ., cow versus horse ).
• Speak to your child in a normal tone to demonstrate accurate sound recognition .
• Enunciate words of interest like M-M-Mommy .
• As syllables start to represent words , such as “ juice ” and “ more ,” expand upon them ( e . g ., “ apple juice ,” “ Would you like more apple juice ?”).
Toddler & Get Set ( 18-36 months )
• Read everything – signs , labels , toys and your child ’ s name .
• Take cues from your child – interested , not interested , read or just look at the pictures , read more or stop before the end of the story ?
• Find and point out shapes and symbols in your home or community .
• Recite rhymes and alliterations ; pause to allow your child to fill in the last word or phrase .
Preschool ( 36 months +)
• Read words and point to each one as you read it , moving your finger from left to right , top to bottom .
• While grocery shopping , ask your child to find an item that starts with a certain letter or find a particular cereal . Have these items on your grocery list for comparison .
• While in the park , ask your child to bring you nature items one at a time . Write the word for each item and then write a story with these words .
Pre-Kindergarten ( 48 months +)
• Read with your child . Take turns reading pages , modeling intonation and punctuation cues .
• Play “ Going on a Hike .” Start by picking a letter and saying . “ I ’ m going on a hike and in my back pack I have a …” Take turns repeating the sentence , naming the previously listed words and adding new word that starts with the chosen letter each time .
• Ask your child to get something in the pantry that he or she would not recognize by sight ; provide the beginning letter sound of the item and ask him or her to search for it by reading the letters .
Finding a preschool / early childhood center that runs their program year round can be very beneficial for reading readiness and other developmental areas . The very best early childhood centers include developmental guidelines for each classroom and age level that include specific goals . The most ingenious preschool programs are integrating specialty enrichment resource programs , such as a second language , math , science , and music , into their curriculum . This seamless assimilation provides optimum learning opportunities for children in a convenient ‘ all-in-one ’ package .
This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo .
Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School ®, located at 825 East McMurray Road in Peters Township and 655 Painters Run Road , Upper St . Clair , 412.564.3600 . Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant / preschool / kindergarten programs . For more information , visit www . goddardschools . com or call 724.941.6464 .
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