The Top Ways Preschool Can Help Your Child To Become A Reader

Posted on: 28 December 2019

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How can preschool help your child to develop a life-long love of reading? If you have a three- to five-year-old, take a look at the ways an early education can foster literacy development.

School Time Is Story Time

Chances are your child will get to hear more than a few books during their pre-k years. Even though your child can't yet read on their own, classroom story times provide students with the chance to develop budding early literacy abilities.

How can read-alouds help preschoolers? Story time can build cognitive skills, help your child to better understand language, expand their vocabulary, and interest them in reading itself.

There's no reason to stop story time when school time ends. Make a point of reading to your preschooler after school, before school, or any other time that fits into your schedule. If you're not sure what to read, talk to their teacher about preschool-friendly picks.

Constant Communication

How does your child learn about language? The easiest way for the young child to develop language and communication skills is through first-hand experience. Don't worry about scheduling your child a steady stream of literacy-based language lessons. Communication is a natural part of what your child does at school daily.

During the pre-k day your child will have the opportunity to talk to other children and staff. Whether your child is discussing an activity with their teacher or listening to a friend's playtime story, constant communication will expand their vocabulary, help them to understand the mechanics of language, and boost literacy development.

A Library of Options

Most pre-k classrooms are stocked with a full library of books for the children to choose from. Even though structured story times will help your child to build literacy skills, it isn't the only way to develop a love of reading.

The chance to choose their own books, browse through the pages, and look at pictures will help your child to build basics skills. Not only will they pick out and point to letters and words as they "read," but your child will also get to learn how to hold and handle books. Even though these skills may seem simple, they're the basis for your child's early literacy education.

The early years are a crucial time when it comes to your child's literacy development. Through story times, communication and socialization, and classroom library activities, preschool can help your child to build key skills that will help them to become a life-long reader.