Preschoolers and Reading

We all have heard the importance of reading to our children and preschoolers know a lot of things they didn't know as babies. As parents and guardians we read lots of different books to build your preschoolers vocabulary.

The most important thing to do is try to have set times to read together. Before bed works well, as do other "down" times in the day, like first thing in the morning or after meals.

Here are some tips:

* It’s ok to read the same book over and over again, your little one is building some great skills. They can even help to read the story with you when you read parts that the know or are repetitive lines.


* When you are looking at a new book, introduce it. Look at the cover and talk about what it might be about. Mention the author by name.

* Ask your child why a character did something.

* Ask what part of the story your child liked best and why.

* Talk about the parts of the story — how did it begin? What happened in the middle? What did your child think of the ending?

* Move your fingers under the words as you read to demonstrate the connection between what you are saying and the words.


Keep in mind that reading is fun and keep it fun for your child, make it a game to change the ending of a story that you have read over and over or make the sounds that the animals might make in the story.

Source: http://kidshealth.org