Home Preschool Curriculum Guide

Learning Reading Readiness Concepts & Skills

To help develop reading readiness in your young children we have provided some activities that correlate with the cognitive developmental stage of 2-5 year olds and the typical preschool course of study. Here are some key concepts, experiences, and skills that educators think children ages 2-5 should have in order to develop reading readiness. Children should:

Be read to daily
Have their own books
Look at books and magazines
Use left-to-right progression
Pretend to read
Understand that print carries a message
Look at pictures and tell a story
Recognize some nursery rhymes
Answer questions about a short story
Know what a letter is
Be familiar with the alphabet
Remember objects from a given picture
Pronounce own first and last name
Identify their own first name in manuscript
Print own first name
Identify other children by name
Express themselves verbally
Be able to repeat a sentence of 6-8 words
Be able to complete an incomplete sentence with a proper word
Tell the meaning of simple words
Identify parts of the body
Identify objects that have a functional use
Know common farm and zoo animals

Here are activities to teach these reading readiness concepts and skills...

Read To Your Child Daily

Read different types of media to your child everyday. For example e-mails, letters, magazines, books, stories, cereal boxes, instructions, directions, recipes, advertisements and anything else with words!
Cuddle up and read a story or two everyday. Close contact will make reading time twice as nice!
While reading recipe directions, have your child add the ingredients as you say them. Have them do the steps as well, such as stir, beat, or mix. For example: If you use a box cake mix let them "read" the pictures shown on the back and get those items (if they can reach) out of the cabinets/fridge. Help them to measure things out, pour or scoop ingredients into a bowl, crack the eggs into the bowl, and then mix everything together. As you measure ingredients together, show your child the words and read them together.

Give Your Child Their Own Books

Set aside a special area for your child's books; make sure he/she knows that it is their special book nook.
Ask relatives to give your child gift certificates to bookstores for birthdays and holidays so that they can buy books for themselves.
Give your child something special to put their books in. Let your child decorate a box or a bag, or get your child a small bookshelf just for his/her books to put in their room.
Clear off a shelf in your own bookcase, (at your child's height) just for his/her books. This is a great way to show your child that his/her books are just as important as your own.
Check out library sales or go to garage sales to find inexpensive books.

Look at Books and Magazines

Leave books on a coffee table, or out in plain sight where they are easy to reach - encourage your child to look through them.
Get a magazine subscription for your child. Magazines such as, Ladybug, Turtle, ZooBooks, Your Big Backyard, and Highlights For Children are all wonderful beginner magazines.
Take books and magazines in the car with you.
Leave books and magazines in the bathroom for your child to look at.

Check Out These Preschool Magazines

Use Left-To-Right Progression

Explain that we read from left to right and show your child the direction from left to right.
Use your finger to follow along as you read from left to right.
After you've read to your child for a while, ask your child where to begin reading and which way to go.

Pretend to Read

Ask your child to "read" to you. Encourage them to pretend.
Leave books around for your child to look through; ask them to tell you the story while you're cooking or doing a chore.
Ask your child to try and read picture instructions or directions such as those on a cake mix box.
Ask your child what they are reading when you see them looking through a book.
Ask your child to try and "read" junk mail based on the pictures they see in it. Have them tell you what they think it's about.

Understanding that Print Carries a Message

Ask your child to say something and write it down for them. Show them that their own words can be turned into text.
Ask your child to tell you a story, dictate the story and read it back to your child. Have your child draw a picture to match the story.
Read a book with pictures and words. For example, show your child a picture of a sun and then the word "sun." Say the word.
Show your child text and ask him/her if they know what it says. If they don't know, read it to them. You are helping them to understand that the letters and words have meaning. Some children may make something up - if so, then they are beginning to understand that print carries a message.
When your child, "writes" you something, you know they are gaining understanding.
When a child asks you what something says they are gaining understanding.

Tell The Meaning of Words Heard in Story

Stop reading in the middle of a story occasionally, and ask what certain words mean - particularly if you know it's a new vocabulary word for your child. Remember, this isn't a test. You're just inquiring. There should be no pressure to perform. If they don't know the meaning - tell them.
Talk about the story with your child and see if they get the meaning of the story or the main idea. Sometimes children will be intrigued more with a particular character or subplot - but if they can relate portions of the story they are understand the meaning of the words.
Talk about new words and use those new words in sentences when talking with your child.
Relate stories to real life by comparing things that happened in the story with things that happen in your child's life.
If you learn a new word, point it out if it comes up in conversation later on in the day. For example if you are shopping and you see something really big say something like, "This apple is huge! Our story was about a huge pizza today, remember?"

Recognizing Nursery Rhymes

Say nursery rhymes together with this FREE listing of 362 Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. When you get to the site, just click on the alphabet letter index to find the rhymes. Read them online or print them out! Or get the book, "The Real Mother Goose," published by Scholastic at your library or bookstore.
Here are some rhymes integrated with music and fun activities your child may enjoy:
- "Itsy, Bitsy, Spider" - read the rhyming lyrics to the song, get the sheet music, print out some coloring pages and get suggestions for art projects and recipes themed around this classic children's song. You can also read the lyrics, listen to the tune, and learn some history behind the song.
- "I'm a Little Teapot" - listen to the tune sung by Hap Palmer, or read the lyrics, hear the tune, and learn the body motions that go with this song.
- "Hickory Dickory Dock" - read the lyrics and listen to the tune. You will also find a fun online activity at DLTK's Nursery Rhymes for Kids.
Enjoy holiday rhymes such as:
- 5 Little Pumpkins - This classic rhyme is used in a fingerplay. Get everything you need to make your own book using this rhyme - from downloadable, printable pages, instructions for assembly and more!
- Night Before Christmas - This is a classic poem with rhyming lines that you can read to the kids. You can get free materials and directions for making a book about the poem too.

Look at Pictures and Tell a Story

Look at picture books with your child and encourage them to tell you (make up) a story based on the pictures.
Look at magazines advertisements and have your child invent a story based on what they see. Do this with pictures/graphics of all kinds.
Every picture tells a story. Cut out pictures from magazines, newspapers, or junk mail and put them together to tell a story. Ask your child what each picture says to him/her and write a caption using your child's words.
Make a "Wish Book" with your child. Allow your child to look through catalogs and advertisements and to cut out the things they want most. Glue these pictures to a page. Put them into a mini-book and caption each picture. This is great for birthdays! Send one to "Santa Claus" or to loved ones so that they'll know just what to get for Christmas and the holidays!
Take photos and scrapbook them into a short story book. Do this for the places you visit and events you attend such as vacations, holidays, field trips, special occasions or just because! Don't forget to send one to grandma!

Answers Questions About a Short Story

Talk to your child about the stories you read and ask them what they liked and didn't like about the story.
Ask your child about the characters in the story; did they do the right thing? Ask them what they would have done if they were in that situation.
Ask where the story took place. Would they go there? Have they ever been someplace like that before?
Ask your child what they remember most about the story.

Identifies Letters and Knows The Alphabet

Prominently display an entire alphabet on the bedroom wall. You can get them at teacher supply stores or print your own -- with this free printable coloring alphabet. Get alphabet dot-to-dot and letter maze activities for free too.
Sing the alphabet forward. Try it backward too! Start somewhere in the middle just for the fun of it!
Match the letters of your child's name with things in the world. For example, David and dinosaur begin with the same letter and sound. (This will be more fun if your child recognizes his/her name).
Write the letters of your child's name on index cards (one letter per card) and put them in the right order to spell the name. Explain to your child that all of those letters make up his/her name. Mix them up and see if your child can put them back in order. Do this with other words that they will feel close to. (Siblings, Mom, Dad)
- Variation 1: Write letters on index cards or use store bought letter cards and give them to your child. Let him/her pick the letters that are most appealing for this activity. Give your child a piece of paper, chalk or white board and something to write with, let them copy letters. (This will work with magnetic letters or letter tiles.)
- Variation 2: Use the same cards/tiles and let your child cut out letters from magazines to match the letters that have the most meaning to him/her.
Read books with alphabet letters featured prominently such as "Alphabet Adventure" or "Alphabet Mystery" both by Audrey Wood.
Play alphabet games such as "My First Alphabet Game" by DK Publishing, or play alphabet games online.

Remembers Objects from a Given Picture

Play "Who Remembers?" Using pictures from magazines, photos, books or advertisements, look at the picture together, discuss the picture together and point things out to one another. Turn the picture over or cover it with something and talk about what you remember most about the picture.
Do the, "What's missing from this picture" puzzle with your child where you compare two pictures to see what is different in each one. Highlights magazine and some newspapers have this game. Here is a game you can play online.

Variations: Make your own "What's missing picture" with a digital camera. Just make a scene, and then take the picture. Remove or add things to your scene and take another picture. Have your child pick out the differences.

Pronounces Own First Name

When you speak to your child, use their proper name, instead of a nickname or a term of endearment.
Make rhymes with your child's name, have your child repeat the rhymes.
Get a personalized music recording that includes your child's name in the song.
If you meet someone with the same name as your child, point that out.
Sing the Name Game song by Shirley Ellis. You can find it on a Music For Little People CD called "A Child's Celebration of Rock 'n' Roll"

Pronounces Own Last Name

Say your child's name often and have him/her repeat it.
Play "The Phone Game" -- The phone game is played by pretending to talk to your child on the "phone," during a conversation ask your child their first and last name.
Play "The Door Game" -- You and your child stand on opposite sides of the door. One person knocks and the other person asks, "Who is there?" Use first and last name when responding to the question.
Have your child introduce him/herself using their whole name when they meet people.
Write child's name, show them their name in print and say it; child should repeat it.
Ask your child his/her name often.

Identifies Own First Name in Manuscript

Put brightly colored, magnetized letters on the fridge or on a magnetic board (even a cookie sheet will work) to familiarize your child with letters and how to use letters to form their name. They will begin to recognize how it looks in print.
Write a story about your child, with your child. Use his/her name often. When you read it together ask your child to clap or make a sound when he/she hears or sees their name in the story.
Make a mini-book with your child about his/her likes and dislikes. For example: Put a dish of ice cream on the page with the caption, "Samantha likes strawberry ice cream."
Make a scrapbook of the things your child does and use captions with your child's name to describe the picture. For example "Devin went fishing."
Get personalized books that include your child's name within the story. The "My Adventure" series of books can also be used in this way.

Prints Own First Name

Teach your child the individual letters of his/her name then show them how to put it together.
Use a chalk or white board to practice writing their name.
Print your child's name on a piece of paper. Put a piece of tracing paper over it and show your child how to trace their name. Or try this activity.
Put your child's name at the top of a piece of paper and ask him/her to copy it just below the one you wrote. Children may start out by randomly copying letters on the paper, eventually, they'll copy it the same way they see it.
Make letters from Play-Doh or cookie dough to spell out your child's name. Begin by rolling out rope-shaped pieces that can be formed into letters. If you are using cookie dough, be sure to make letter shapes with enclosed portions, such as "A," "B," "d" or "R" with plenty of space inside the enclosed portion - the dough spreads when baking and closes up the part that's supposed to be open, making the letter difficult, if not impossible to read.

Identifies Other Children By Name

Take pictures of friends and scrapbook them with name captions.
When you meet a child/person for the first time, ask their name. Repeat it several times as you ask questions such as, "How old are you, Robert?" "Robert, do you have any brothers or sisters?" That will help your child to remember the new person's name.
Talk to your child after you meet new people or playmates. Ask your child who they met that day, what they did and if they had fun together. Talk about the new person in an observational way. "Kathy has long blond hair." Or "David's, red dinosaur shirt reminded me of yours!" The more time your child spends talking about his/her experiences, the more they are likely to remember.
Talk about the people you might see on your way to places. For example, "I wonder if Jesse will be at the playground today?"

Expresses Self Verbally

Encourage your child to express their feelings through words.
When your child is angry, have them draw out their feelings and then talk about the picture and their feelings.
If you're child has an outburst, let them finish, then calmly discuss better ways of expressing feelings.
If your child cries for what he/she wants, gently and calmly explain to your child that you cannot understand them when they cry. When they calm down, speak in soothing tones and ask your child to calmly tell you what is needed or wanted.
If your child points or grunts for the things he/she wants, encourage them to say the words instead.

Repeats A Sentence Of 6 - 8 Words

Play the "Copy-Cat Game" -- ask your child to try and repeat everything you say. Keep the sentences short (6-8 words - or extend the length if they are capable of remembering and repeating more.)
Call-and-response games and songs. Acclaimed singer Ella Jenkins has several CDs with call and response songs for children.
Learn rhymes, fingerplays, and poems together. Here are some designed just for preschoolers.
Enjoy sing-along songs together and say the words to your favorite songs together.

Can Complete An Incomplete Sentence With Proper Word

Use stamps or stickers and make a rebus rhyme together. A rebus or pictogram is a story that uses pictures for certain words. The picture gives children a clue to the word that belongs there, not to mention a general idea of what the story is about. Here is a selection of rebus rhymes to print out and use at home.
Start sentences about the places you've gone or the things you've done and drop off the final word, as if you "forgot" what you are going to say. Allow your child time to pick it up, or ask them to help you remember.
Write sentences on index cards; leave a word out, ask your child to put a word in the blank. For example, "I like to play with my [ fill in the blank ]." Anything that makes sense is the right answer.
Make a book using a similar procedure; have your child cut out pictures to place in the space. This can be changed to words later on. Have them say the words/names of the pictures they are using.

Tell The Meaning Of Simple Words

While reading a story, stop once in awhile and talk about what's happening.
As you drive in the car, point to street signs or billboards and ask your child if they know what it means. If they don't know - tell them.
Read directions and have your child do what they say. Talk about the things they don't understand.
Have your child act out or talk about words. Play preschool charades!
Talk with your child about everyday things. Listen to the questions they are asking and what they think things mean. You'll be glad you did!

Identify Parts Of The Body

Sing: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"
Talk about body parts.
Play "Simon Says" using body parts. For example, "Simons says, cover your eyes!"
Go to the library and take out books about the body. Get "Blue's Amazing Body Book (Blues Clues)" by Michael T. Smith. Try the "My Body Science" book series too. They are sure to make your kids laugh out loud while they learn anatomy.
Tell your child what everything on his body is called; use proper names. Using proper names for body parts will help the child let you and others know when something is wrong with them.
Ask your child what his/her body parts are called.
Do the "Hokey Pokey!"

Identify Objects That Have A Functional Use

Talk about tools with your child. When you use tools like a hammer, screwdriver, or wrench - show it to your child. Tell him/her what it is called, and how it is used. Let them watch you use it and give your child a chance to use it too under your careful supervision. Play toolkits are fun too!
Cook with your child and talk about the things used in the kitchen. Show your child how to use kitchen appliances correctly, and let them use them under your guidance. Play kitchen sets reinforce learning as well.
Let your child help with household chores. Most little kids thinks it's fun! Tell him/her the names of things like brooms, doorknobs, light switches, washer, dryer, clothesline, mop, vacuum, etc., and let him/her try using cleaning tools with adult supervision.
Garden with your child. A set of kid-sized gardening tools makes it easy and fun!
Show your child the phone, television, DVD player, CD player, game system, calculator, digital camera, computer, fax machine, scanner, photo-copier, remote control and other electronic wonders. Show him/her how they work and let them use it as well with your supervision.

Identify Common Farm And Zoo Animals

Read the "Big Book of Animals" by DK Publishing, or borrow other animal identification books for preschoolers from your local library.
Visit a zoo, petting zoo, farm, humane society or pet store. Look at the animals and say their names. What does your child like best about them?
Create zoo or farm dioramas for your child's favorite animals.
Play with animal puppets! Make your own animal puppets!
Sing "Old McDonald" and enjoy some activities themed around the song.
Get a subscription to the National Wildlife Federation's magazines for children that include, "Wild Animal Baby" and "Your Big Backyard"
Go to Enchanted Learning for fun farm crafts you can do with your child!
Build a zoo or farm for your child using recycled products. As you learn about new animals build another environment using shoeboxes, containers and milk cartons. Used printed animals, molded animals (out of baked clay, Play-doh, modeling clay, or beeswax) or plastic animals from the store. Try to see how creative you can be!
Sing animal songs.
Ask your child to walk, act and sound like an animal. Learn the sounds different animals make!