Preschoolers - Early Literacy - Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers - Info Guides at Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries

Early Literacy for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are learning many essential life skills to prepare them for the school years while quickly gaining independence. There is no need for flash cards or drills at this age, but providing your child with rich and enjoyable reading experiences will go a long way in preparing them for Kindergarten.

Literacy can be a part of every day! Below are some ideas to help make talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with your preschooler a part of your family's routine.

Preschoolers, Books and Beyond!
Early Literacy Activities for You and Your Preschooler.

Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play Everyday!

TALKING with Preschoolers

Take time to talk with your preschooler throughout the day! Ask questions that require more than one word responses and expand on what your child says by adding descriptive words and modeling proper grammar.

Talk about the pictures in a book or the things you see while out for a walk
Involve your child in tasks such as baking, doing repairs and gardening. Talking about the process and then asking your child what they think will happen next
Ask your child to tell you about their day and actively listen to their responses
Do your best to answer the never ending stream of "Why?" questions fully. The more things and words your child knows the easier it will be for them when they start to learn to read

SINGING with Preschoolers

Preschoolers will begin to produce words that rhyme or start with the same sound. Encourage play with language, making up silly words and sounds.

Clap, tap spoons or shake shakers while singing and rhyming to keep a beat and emphasize syllables, or the parts of words

Expose your child to a variety of songs and rhymes. Library storytime is a great place to learn new and old songs to add to your repertoire!

Match songs and rhymes with daily activities, like brushing teeth, cleaning up, and going to bed

READING with Preschoolers

Draw them in! Allow reading to be an interactive experience, where your child has an active role in storytelling.
Expose your child to a variety of books; introduce non-fiction, wordless and poetry books.
Encourage your child to retell their favorite stories, or parts of their day while on the go.
Make time for reading! Set aside time each day to curl up and grab a book.
Ask questions about the book you are reading and encourage your child to predict what will happen next.

For more information on sharing books with your preschooler and suggested titles click here

WRITING with Preschoolers

The first letter children will begin to identify and write is the first letter of their name.

Allow children to practice making lines and shapes, eventually producing the letters in their name
Ask your child to tell you about what they have drawn by asking "What is happening in this picture?" Write captions based on their responses
Identify letters in the environment: traffic signs, store advertisements and information boards.

PLAYING with Preschoolers

Make time to play with your child. While independent and peer play are important, research has shown that play is richer when an adult participates.

Encourage imaginative and dramatic play! Children can make up stories using play clothes, puppets, or other props
Play games with simple rules and familiar concepts
Allow your child to be the leader while playing. Play a supportive role, building on their ideas and following their direction