Parents and the Promotion
of Early Literacy
Development
For Preschoolers
From 3 to 4 years of
age, children show
rapid growth in
literacy.
What does this growth
look like?
Early Reading
● Children begin to “read” their favorite
picture books by themselves, focusing
mainly on reenacting the story from
the pictures.
● They begin by telling about each
picture individually and then move on to
weaving a story from picture to picture
using language that sounds like reading
or writing language.
( North Central Regional Education Laboratory website:
www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li100.htm)
Early Writing
● During these years, children
experiment with writing by forming
scribbles, letter-like forms, and
random strings of letters, including
“mock handwriting”.
● Children will often “read” their printed
messages using language and sounds
like reading.
( North Central Regional Education Laboratory website:
www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li100.htm)
What can you do to
promote early
literacy development
in your child?
Read Aloud
• Set aside a special time each day to read
to children.
• Make reading a fun experience.
– Show enthusiasm. Use different voices.
• Help children learn as you read.
– Ask questions. Point out words, letters, etc.
• Have children help you select books.
• Read and re-read a variety of books.
(Child Care Connections Newsletter, National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004)
“The single most important
parental activity for
eventual success in reading
is reading aloud to
children.”
Northwest Regional Education Laboratory
Teach Children about
books and other print
materials.
• How to handle books properly.
• How to recognize features of a book.
– Front & back cover, top & bottom, title, author,
illustrator, etc.
• Teach them that printed letters and words
run from left to right across the page and
from top to bottom.
(Dr. Stephen Green, Child Care Connections Newsletter, National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004)
Familiarize children
with letters of the
alphabet and their
corresponding sounds.
• Learn to say the alphabet.
• Recognize and name letters.
• Distinguish between capital and lowercase
letters.
• Understand the sounds that letters make.
•
(Dr. Stephen Green, Child Care Connections Newsletter, National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004)
Expose children to a
variety of books and
other print materials.
• Build up a large collection of children’s
books and other print materials.
• Set aside a clearly identified space where
children can look at books. Make sure they
can access these materials on their own.
• Visit the library regularly.
(Dr. Stephen Green, Child Care Connections Newsletter, National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004)
Provide opportunities to
experiment with writing.
• Keep writing materials, including paper,
pencils, crayons, and markers, handy.
• Encourage children to scribble, draw, and
write letters.
• Encourage them to incorporate writing into
their play.
– Making a grocery list, etc.
• Help children write their names.
(Dr. Stephen Green, Child Care Connections Newsletter, National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004)
Final thought….
“Reading is to the mind what exercise
is to the body.”
-Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English politician and essayist
References
• Dr. Stephen Green, Child Care Connections Newsletter,
National Network for Child Care, Volume 13, Issue 4, 2004
http://fcs.tamu.edu/families/child_care/newsletters_child_care/ccc_wolo
go/ccc13_4wologo.pdf
• North Central Regional Education Laboratory website:
www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li100.htm
Contact Info
• Kim Shannon, General Education Consultant
Manistee Intermediate School District
(231) 398-2981
shannonk@manistee.org