Are you the Parent of a Preschooler?

Here is a checklist if you are the parent of a preschooler. This list contains some ways you can help your child "get ready to read" during the ages of 4 and 5.
___ I help my child hear and say the first sound in words (like "b" in boat), and notice when different words start with the same sound (like "boat" and "book").
___ I help my child hear words that rhyme (like moose, goose, and caboose).
___ I introduce new words to my child like "bow" and "stern", which mean the front of a boat and the back of a boat.
___ I talk with my child about the letters of the alphabet and notice them in books, like "c" for canoe.
___ I point out signs and labels that have letters, like street signs and foods in the grocery store.
___ I encourage my child to find the joy and fun in reading. Usually, I let my child choose the books we read.
___ I let my child pretend to read parts of the book when we read together.
___ I talk with my child about stories and make connections to things that happen in our own lives.
___ I ask "what", "where", and "how" questions when I read with my child to help her follow along and understand the stories.
___ I help my child write notes or make books (like an alphabet book), even if his writing only looks like scribbles or marks.