| Have you ever noticed how much little 4 and 5 | | | | Read the book when you are finished |
| year old children just like to play? They seem to | | | | 5. Start a Story Book |
| take even the most trivial of activities and turn | | | | Begin a made up story with your child, write |
| them into something fun. So why not make a | | | | it down |
| game out of getting them ready to read? Let's | | | | Ask the child what should happen next, write |
| take a look at 7 Activities that will help Promote | | | | their answer |
| Reading for Preschoolers. | | | | Ask about characters, places, things to put in |
| 7 Fun Pre-Reading Activities | | | | the story |
| Here are some fun activities parents may use to | | | | If you are artistic draw some pictures to go |
| promote pre-reading skills with their children: | | | | with your story, if not cut out pictures from |
| 1. Play Rhyming Games | | | | magazines for illustrations |
| Point out words that rhyme to your children. | | | | Read the story to your child when it is |
| (cat, bat, sat) | | | | complete |
| Use word association with pictures of these | | | | Make a "binder" out of construction paper and |
| words and/or action. Show/draw a picture of a | | | | staple the story inside |
| cat that sat on a bat. | | | | Be sure to include the names of the authors |
| Ask them about rhyming words that they | | | | on the title page |
| know. Have them repeat the words to you. | | | | Read the story to family and friends |
| Point to an object in your home, like a ball | | | | Tell your child how proud you are of their |
| and ask your child to tell you a word that rhymes | | | | story book |
| with ball. Let the child choose the next item and | | | | Repeat when your child has a new story to |
| then you begin the rhyming game. | | | | tell |
| 2. Play Alphabet Games | | | | 6. Play the Common Sign Game |
| Point out the sound that each letter of the | | | | Point to street signs, ask your child what |
| alphabet makes for instance - "B" sounds like baa. | | | | letters are on the signs |
| This is a good way to begin introducing phonics | | | | Ask if they know what the sign means, if not |
| with your child. | | | | tell them and ask again at another time when you |
| Put magnetized letters on your refrigerator. | | | | pass by the sign |
| Pick out random letters and ask your child which | | | | Point out signs at businesses and do the |
| letter of the alphabet it is to see if they recognize | | | | same thing |
| the letter and the sound it makes. | | | | Look for things in your home to point out |
| Spell out the child's name with the letters at a | | | | such as light switches (on/off), remote controls, |
| level on the fridge that is easy for them to see | | | | etc. |
| and reach. Have them pick out the sounds that | | | | 7. Play the Name Game |
| each letter makes. Then tell them what the word | | | | Write your child's name on a sheet of paper, |
| spells. Ask them again later what letters spell out | | | | ask them to tell you the letters |
| their name. Let them put the letters together on | | | | Sound out the letters with them |
| the refrigerator. | | | | Do the same with your name |
| 3. Play the "What's That" Game | | | | Have your child attempt to write their name |
| Point to an object in the room, ask the child | | | | themselves |
| "what's that" to check on the child's visual | | | | Practice this often |
| comprehension skills | | | | Let the child pick out other words that they |
| Ask your child to point to something that | | | | want to see in print |
| they don't know what it is and explain it to them | | | | As parents we want our children to succeed in |
| Play this game when you are traveling in the | | | | life. Getting them prepared for school and learning |
| car or when you arrive at a new destination | | | | to read is part of our job. This does not have to |
| 4. Make a Letter Book | | | | be a struggle though. Children at this age are very |
| Print the letters of the alphabet on a piece of | | | | eager to learn. Getting involved with your |
| construction paper | | | | children's learning activities is the first step that |
| Cut out pictures that start with each letter of | | | | parents can take to help children begin learning |
| the alphabet ex. A is for Apple | | | | pre-reading skills. |
| Ask your child about other words that would | | | | Learning and gaining knowledge is something that |
| fit on the page and find other pictures | | | | we want them to continue to strive for |
| Repeat for each letter of the alphabet. You | | | | throughout their lifetimes. |
| may want to do one letter each day | | | | |