Parenting Counts | Reading with Preschooler

You can help your child develop an interest in reading by making it a fun part of every day. This is a wonderful time to visit the library and let your child pick the books that interest him. And if you are interested in more information, we have created a list of recommended reading for parents about child development and parenting. Just remember, books are wonderful, but the time you spend together reading is what your child is going to benefit from the most.

The more confident they are at reading, the better they will do in school.
Good readers start reading at home.
Make reading together enjoyable and part of your daily routine.
Preschoolers want to be able to read on their own, but they still need your help.
Be warm, supportive, and responsive to your child as you read together.
Be enthusiastic, playful, and animated, while reading a story.
Encourage your child's participation in reading. Take turns if they know the story or some
of the words.
Let them finish sentences or fill in the word that comes next.
Sound out the letters or the words. Ask your preschooler to help.
Some sounds are harder to pronounce than others, so if they don't pronounce a word correctly, don't correct them, just say the word properly again.
Help preschoolers to see the word that matches the picture.
Try not to discipline your child during reading times as he may learn to associate books with negativity.
Talk to your child about the story and ask questions.
Be patient and wait for their answers.
Allow them to be creative in their answers. They may imagine a different situation for the character or a different ending for the book. It's healthy to let kids use their imagination, so encourage them to be storytellers.
Let your child have a special place for books.
Take books with you on every outing.
Take your child to the library for story time and get him a library card of his own.
Don't limit your reading to books. Read magazines, recipes, or even cereal boxes.
When you are in the car or on a bus, point out street signs, billboards, or store signs.
When you are in a store, let your child know that letters and words are everywhere by pointing out labels and signs.
Help your preschooler to learn the letters in his name.
Introduce writing and allow them to scribble, draw, paint or write a story in their own way.
Help them to learn to print the letters in their name and don't expect perfection.
If your child is bored with reading, then it's time to stop, you can start again another time.
If a child is hungry or tired, reading might not be a good choice.
If you make reading a positive experience, kids will want to read more.

	Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Lois Ehlert (Illustrator) An alphabet rhyme/chant that relates what happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a coconut tree.

	Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins A madcap band of dancing, prancing monekys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

	If You Were My Bunny by Kate McMullan, David McPhail (Illustrator) A mother tells her baby how she would care for it if it were a bunny, a kitten, or other animal infant; she then sings a lullaby about each baby animal.

	I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem by Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Cornell (Illustrator) A young girl learns to like herself every single day, no matter what.

	The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn When Chester the raccoon is reluctant to go to kindergarten for the first time, his mother teaches him a secret way to carry her love with him.

	Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems This book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

	Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse, Barbara Lavallee (Illustrator) A child living in the Arctic learns that a mother's love is unconditional.

	My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss This rhyming story describes each day in terms of a particular color which in turn is associated with specific emotions.

	Owl Babies by Martin Waddell Three owl babies whose mother has gone out in the night try to stay calm while she is gone.

	Way I Feel by Janan Cain Illustrations and rhyming text portray children experiencing a range of emotions, including frustration, shyness, jealousy, and pride.

	When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang A young girl is upset and doesn't know how to manage her anger but takes the time to cool off and regain her composure.

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