Ages 3 to 5 years

Preschoolers are aware of print in the world around them and on the page. They may pretend to read favorite books. This “pretend reading” helps set the stage for real reading, and helps children begin to think of themselves as readers.

Does your child...

1. Retell a story by looking at the pictures?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

2. Pretend to read a book by memorizing the words?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

3. Ask questions while you are reading?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

4. Make marks that look like letters?
a. not yet b. makes marks c. prints letters

Can your child...

1. Recite nursery rhymes and sing songs?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

2. Predict what will happen next in the story?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

3. Read or recognize “Stop” on a stop sign, brand names, and other familiar print?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

4. Identify and name the letters of the alphabet?
a. not yet b. some letters c. most letters

• Asks a lot of questions while you read. Children learn through talking about books.
• Can’t sit still for a story. Some children listen better while drawing or playing with a toy.
• Writes letters or words backwards. Preschoolers are still getting oriented.
• Prefers information to storybooks. Some children do!

• Encourage your children to join in while you read. Pause to let them fill in a rhyming word or repeating line: “I’ll huff and I’ll puff....”
• Ask open-ended questions, such as, “What do you think is going to happen next?” or “Why do you think he did that?”
• Move your finger under the words as you read aloud. This helps preschoolers connect printed words to spoken words.
• Begin teaching the letters of the alphabet, starting with the ones in your child’s own name. Make letter- learning fun with markers, magnets, glue and glitter.

• Concept books, such as counting books and A-B-C books
• “Pattern books” with rhymes and repetition
• Simple stories with predictable plots
• Information picture books