Ways To Encourage Pre-Reading Strategies At Home
1. Develop a routine and find a comfortable spot for reading. Creating an inviting spot for reading fosters the feeling that books are:
 Fun
 Filled with information for learning
 A great way to relax
2. Select Quality Books
 Capture their attention by selecting books that reflect their interests and are meaningful to them.
 Look closely at how many words are on the page and if the pictures are eye-catching and attractive so that they hold the focus and attention of your child.
 At this age, books with repeating lines and rhyme are very appealing to children and invite opportunities for “shared” reading experiences. When your child can follow the pattern and read along with you, they begin to see themselves as readers and understand how books work.
 Books that your child already loves to read with you are great for reading time too. Reading that book again may be boring for you, but it holds wonderful opportunities to learn about print, storytelling, and more opportunities to “share” the reading with your child. If you have read it 100 times and it still makes your child happy, it’s time for number 101!
3. Create a print rich environment:
 Find a special and child-friendly place to keep books in your home.
 Model and discuss that way to care for books.
 Point out print at home, in the grocery store or even on the street.
Your child’s environment is an excellent place to explore words. It helps your child learn that we read to understand the messages all around us.
 Create labels for things your child frequently sees or uses around the house.

1.
Picture Walk: Use the illustrations to predict and discuss what the story may be about without reading the words. Begin with the cover and look the illustrations on each page, but don’t give away the ending. Making predictions is a wonderful way to engage your child in the story and creates opportunities for asking questions to find out if your child understands the story.
2.
Illustrations and Words Work Together: As you read, point out ways that the words match what is happening in the pictures.
When we read to children we are not only planting the seeds of reading literacy, but also developing young writers. Your child will begin the process of becoming an author by telling stories through pictures.
3.
Print moves from left to right: Occasionally pointing to the words as you read helps your child understand the mechanics of how books work. Tapping under each word to emphasize an exciting part of the book demonstrates that we say a word for each group of letters.
4.
“Share” the Reading: As you read books with rhyme and repeating verses, invite your child to read along by pausing and waiting for them to add the words, or just ask them what they think will come next.
5.
Storytelling and Understanding the Story: Talk about the story to enjoy it again and to allow your child to be a storyteller.
Encourage your child to discuss the characters, setting and the sequence of the story.

Work together to draw a picture of one of the characters in the story.
When you are drawing with your child, talk to him/her about:

Shapes he/she can use to draw a picture

Coloring slowly and with small strokes
 Don’t press too hard or too soft

Use more than one color

Be aware of the grip your child is using (see handout about pencil grips)