Pre-kindergarten through grade 1

Children are “soon-to-be readers” when they know most of the letters of the alphabet and some of their sounds. They may ask, “Does this say boot?” and point to a word on the page that starts with b. They can retell a story in more detail, and may use book-like language, such as “Once upon a time.”

1. Tell stories that have a beginning, middle and end?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

2. Look at print and ask, “Where does it say this?” or, “What does this say?”
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

3. Spend time looking at books independently?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

4. Choose books to read over other play activities?
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

1. Say the sound associated with each letter of the alphabet?
a. not yet b. some sounds c. most sounds

2. Recognize and sight-read words in a favorite book?
a. not yet b. a few words c. many words

3. Answer open-ended story questions like, “How do you think that made him feel?”
a. not yet b. sometimes c. often

4. Print the letters of the alphabet?
a. not yet b. some letters c. most letters

• Seems to be in this “almost reading” stage for quite a while.
• Writes letters or words you can’t decipher. Ask your child to read them to you.
• Mixes up letters that look alike.

• Encourage your soon-to-be reader without pressuring or pushing.
• Playfully reinforce letter names and sounds. Play “I spy something that starts with a ‘p’ sound...” or make a list together of words you know that begin with an ‘m’ sound.
• Go places and do things with your soon-to-be reader. Knowledge and experiences help children understand the words they’ll soon be reading.
• Have plenty of paper, crayons and pencils readily available for your children to use, and a place to display their pictures and writing.

• Picture books with more sophisticated story lines
• Poetry and rhyming books to reinforce word patterns
• Easy-to-read books with words your child can recognize and read
• Information picture books to add to your child’s knowledge