Children are NOT expected to know how to read when they start Kindergarten. However, equipping children with pre-reading skills before they enter school allows children to focus on learning to read when they begin. Check out the NLPL YouTube Channel playlist "Reading Readiness Tips" for information to support your child's early literacy skill development.
Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play!
Five early literacy practices to get ready to read -- from birth!
Children prepare to read long before they enter school. In fact, early literacy skills begin to develop right from birth. A child's positive early experiences with books and language lay the foundation for success in learning to read.
There is so much you can do to help build reading readiness. Talk, sing, read, write and play with your child. Share books together every day and have fun reading!
TALK
Talking with children helps develop language skills and stimulates brain development. When children talk with adults they are developing listening skills, learning new words and how a conversation works.
SING
Singing and rhyming are great for learning the different sounds that make up words. This helps when children begin to read.
READ
Reading aloud is the most effective way to help children become good readers. During shared reading children learn new words, how a book works, basic story structure (beginning, middle, end) and that print has meaning. Most important of all, children learn that reading is an enjoyable activity!
WRITE
Writing helps children learn that letters and words stand for sounds and that print has meaning.
PLAY
Children learn about the world when they play. The more they learn, the more they understand books and stories when they begin to read.
Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries would like to partner with you to help the children in your life get ready to read!
In the following pages you will find:
Please explore! If you have any questions or would like to get additional information on any of the topics covered please do not hesitate to contact staff at your local library.