Develop a Reading Strategy: Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy.
Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping children develop
into good readers and writers.
Find a good reading or phonics program: Every step a child takes toward learning to read leads to another.
Bit by bit, the child builds the knowledge that is necessary for being a reader. Over their first 6 years, most children
Talk and listen.
Pretend to read.
Learn how to handle books.
Listen to stories read aloud.
Write with scribbles and drawing.
Learn about print and how it works.
Identify letters by name and shape.
Identify separate sounds in spoken language.
Connect single letters with the sounds they make.
Predict what comes next in stories and poems.
Connect combinations of letters with sounds.
Write individual letters of the alphabet.
Recognize simple words in print.
Sum up what a story is about.
Write simple sentences.
Write to communicate.
Read simple books.
Learn phonics.
Write words.
With this reading strategy, children can take more than one of these steps at the same time.
This list of steps, though, gives you a general idea of how your child will progress toward reading.
Try to spend at least 30 minutes each day reading to and with your child. At first, read or practice
phonics for no more than a few minutes at a time, several times a day. As your child grows older, you should be able
to tell if he wants you to read for longer periods. Don't be discouraged if you have to skip a day or don't always
keep to your schedule. Just get back to your daily routine as soon as you can. Most of all, make sure that reading
stays fun for both of you!
