IN Mt. Lebanon Spring 2020 | Page 13

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EARLY EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
FOCUSING on
READING
READINESS
for CHILDREN
L
earning to read can be challenging for some children. However, if you
expose them to books and language when they are very young, they
might develop reading skills more quickly. It might also foster a love of
reading. Here are some easy ways to build your little one’s reading skills:
INFANT TO ONE YEAR
• Playing appropriate music teaches acute sound differentiation, which is
used later in letter sound differentiation;
• Read simple board books with one picture per page, contrasting colors
and/or simple pictures, and point to the items on each page;
• While reading to your child, make faces so your child will notice subtle
differences;
• Allow your child to point and turn book pages;
• Describe colors, shapes and sizes;
• Verbalize and describe your child’s actions (e.g., “That’s the blue ball. Uh-
oh, it rolled away. I’ll roll it back to you. You caught it.”).
FIRST STEPS (12-18 MONTHS)
• Read longer stories to your child and allow him or her to point, turn
pages or even turn the book upside-down;
• Name objects as your child points;
READY.
SET.
GOddard!
We help children explore
and discover their interests
through play in a safe
environment. We provide
ample opportunities for
fun learning experiences,
promoting a lifelong love of
learning in literacy, science,
technology, engineering,
arts and mathematics.
NOW ENROLLING ALL AGES,
INCLUDING KINDERGARTEN!
PETERS TOWNSHIP (VENETIA) • 724-941-6464
PITTSBURGH (UPPER SAINT CLAIR) • 412-564-3600
GoddardSchool.com
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. 2018
• Sing and give characters of books funny voices;
• Speak to your child in a normal tone to demonstrate accurate sound
recognition;
• Enunciate words of interest such as “Mommy”;
• As syllables start to represent words, such as “juice” and “more,” expand
upon them (e.g., “apple juice” or “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 (e.g. 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, and pause to allow your child to fill in
the last word or phrase;
• Play games such as Candyland® where symbols lead to action.
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;
• While in the park, ask your child to bring you items one at a time (e.g.
a stick, a leaf, etc.). Write the word for each item and then write a story
with these words;
• Ask your child what he or she would like to buy at the grocery store
and write it on the list together.
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 backpack I have a …” Take turns repeating the
sentence, naming the previously listed words and adding a 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;
• While driving, ask your child to help you find a particular street sign.
Finding a preschool that operates year-round can also be beneficial for
reading readiness and other developmental areas. The best preschools
include developmental guidelines for every age level and include specific
goals related to reading emergence and other areas. Make sure the
faculty is educated in writing and implementing lesson plans to support
individualized learning.
The most ingenious preschool programs are integrating specialty
enrichment resource programs, such as a second language, sign language,
math, science, fitness, 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, 724.941.6464, 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/Pittsburgh.
MT. LEBANON
❘
SPRING 2020
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