Preparing Your Preschooler to Love Reading
March is Literacy Month, a special time where reading is promoted around the world. Even though our kids are not yet readers, we at Small Strides recognize the profound impact that a love for reading has on young minds. Early childhood literacy not only lays the foundation for academic success, but also nurtures a child's imagination, curiosity, and cognitive development.
So in this post, we'll delve into the benefits of early childhood reading and provide practical tips on how to prepare preschoolers to love reading.
The Benefits of Early Childhood Reading
There are so many benefits that come with reading, it’s hard to capture it all in a short blog post. But here are some of the biggest rewards for literacy.
Their brains get stronger
Engaging with books stimulates a child's cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Through storytelling and discussions about the plot, characters, and settings, children learn to think critically and make connections between ideas. It’s amazing to see young minds develop through the simple act of reading.
Their imagination grows
Books are magical portals that transport children to faraway lands, imaginary worlds, and exciting adventures. Reading sparks their imagination, encourages creative thinking, and fosters a lifelong love for storytelling and creativity. Kids who embrace their imagination grow up into innovative adults.
They gain emotional intelligence
Reading stories featuring diverse characters and perspectives helps children develop empathy for those who are different from them. As they identify with fictional characters and their experiences, they learn to understand and empathize with others' emotions, enhancing their social skills and interpersonal relationships.
School becomes a joy, not a curse
Research shows that children who are exposed to reading at an early age are more likely to succeed academically throughout their school years. Reading proficiency is a fundamental skill that unlocks overall academic achievement across various subjects.
Preparing Preschoolers for Reading Success
Now, all of the benefits of reading we’ve shared are generally experienced when kids learn to read in early elementary school. But what about preschoolers? How can they be set up for success? Here are some helpful tips for getting your preschooler on the path to loving literacy.
Create a reading environment at home
Preschoolers learn by example. Let them see you reading for pleasure, whether it's a book, magazine, or newspaper. Show enthusiasm and excitement about reading, and they'll likely follow in your footsteps. If you love reading, odds are they will too.
It’s also important to surround your child with books, magazines, and other reading materials. Make regular visits to the library or bookstore so they can have the excitement of picking out a new book for you to read to them.
Read aloud together
Set aside dedicated time each day for reading aloud to your preschooler. It’s helpful to choose a variety of books that cater to their interests and introduce them to different genres and styles of writing. This helps establish the habit of reading, even if the words on the page don’t make sense to them (yet).
Encourage active participation
While reading, encourage your child to ask questions, make predictions, and discuss the story. Engage them in conversations about the characters, plot twists, and moral lessons conveyed in the book.
You can also incorporate interactive activities such as finger-point reading, where your child follows along with their finger as you read aloud. And if you’re an overachiever, you can use props, puppets, or role-play to bring stories to life and make reading a fun and immersive experience.
Play with words
Rhyming, silly sentences, and word games help preschoolers have fun with words, which helps them have fun with reading when they start learning.
Celebrate milestones
Applaud your child's progress and achievements in reading, no matter how small. Do they recognize letters? Did they remember the name of the main character? Praise their efforts, and when the time comes for them to read on their own, they’ll have many positive associations.
Conclusion
By nurturing a love for reading and providing the necessary support and resources, we can empower preschoolers to embark on a lifelong journey of literacy and learning. Let's invest in their future by making reading a cornerstone of their early childhood experiences. Happy Literacy Month!