Wee Readers

A literacy rich environment is a place where there is reading aloud, access to many forms of the written word, conversation, and imaginary play. These seemingly simple, everyday things are important building blocks of the foundation that children need in order to learn to read and write.

• Reading aloud. About 60 percent of young children are read to every day by a grown up member of their family. Is this more or less than you expected? How often do you read to your children? Being read to helps young children develop their language and comprehension skills. While reading age-geared stories are the most enjoyable to them, the main thing is that children benefit from listening. So "to do" lists, mail, and so forth are also beneficial to read aloud!
• Seeing the written word. For many parents, words are taken for granted. You are used to seeing and hearing words all day long. For young children, it's helpful to make words obvious and accessible. Make age-appropriate books and other written material available at their eye-level, such as on a dedicated, low-level bookshelf. Let him play with old take-out menus, outdated telephone books, last year's calendar, used maps of any kind, an extra ruler, and a stack of scrap paper and spare envelopes. He will have great fun trying out a wide variety of writing instruments, such as washable markers and crayons, pencils, and chalk. Incorporate alphabet posters and toys into his play area and sing alphabet songs. Let him have your old key board (cord removed) and watch how fast he can "type!" Label ordinary things around the house (like his bedroom door) and point out street signs as you walk around your neighborhood. You are teaching him that reading is a routine part of life!
• Conversation. Oral language development is a building block of literacy. Make it a point to have a one-on-one conversation with your child every day that focuses on something of interest to her. Ask her about her friends, preschool or daycare, what she played, what was served at snack time, etc. Then really listen to her answers and show your interest by asking follow up questions. Be willing to answer her questions, too. Before you know it, she'll be suggesting, "Let's have a conversation!"
• Imaginary play. There are many different ways to enjoy imaginary play together. Here are just a few ideas. Let him "read" a story to you based on illustrations in a book. Make up stories together by either taking turns telling parts of the same story or alternate being storyteller of complete stories. Try out-doing each other with the number of rhyming "words" you can each come up with to make a silly song - and they don't need to be real words!