Pre-K Prep: 4 Ways To Prepare Your Child For Reading
Is your child starting pre-kindergarten programs next year? There is no better time than the present to help them understand the concept of reading and storytelling. Even though children will learn to read in elementary school, it is crucial to begin working on reading at a young age to keep them from struggling later on. The following are some ways you can jumpstart your child's reading competency:
Read With Your Child
Reading with your child may already be in your daily routine. Reading aloud has a variety of benefits that can help children understand the reading process. It can instill a love of stories and books at a very young age. Try to read at least two short books daily.
Ask Questions
While reading aloud to your child, be sure to ask questions about what is going on in the story. This can serve as a test to whether or not they understand comprehension. Ask about what is currently happening in the story and what they think will happen next. It also allows them to interact with you since they cannot yet read written words.
Let the Child Tell You a Story
Another thing you can do is have the child tell you a story in his or her own words. They can do this by looking at the pictures or from memory if it is a book they have read before. Keep in mind that they story the child tells may have nothing to do with the actual storyline. The key is to get their imaginations flowing, as this is essential to the learning process. They are also developing the skill to tell a story from beginning to end. This will demonstrate that they understand the concept of a story even without the ability to read words.
Teach Letters
While reading, your child should begin to recognize letters. If they have already learned their letters through singing the ABC song, the next step is to get them used to what letters look like. You can use your favorite books or make some simple flashcards.
Letter sounds are also important. Once your child has learned what letters look like, the next thing they should understand is the sound each letter makes. Have them repeat the sound the letter makes as they are identifying them.
These are some simple strategies that can make a world of difference for your child once they enter pre-kindergarten. Continue this once they enter school to supplement what they are learning. Consider asking the teacher what strategies are used in the classroom so that you can tailor your supplemental teaching in order to prevent any confusion.