Developing a Love of Reading in Young Children
Strategies to Foster Reading Literacy and Motivation in Preschoolers
Jan 24, 2009
Children who do not read recreationally will, over time, fall behind their peers who do. Readers gain larger amounts of background knowledge, better comprehension of text structure, and larger vocabularies, all of which will help them in their future learning. Use the following simple strategies to lay an early foundation for literacy, which will ensure that preschoolers and primary students become more avid readers right from the start.
Read Aloud to Children of All Ages
Reading aloud is the single most important activity a parent can do to engage children with reading. Read aloud often from the child’s favorites, but also stretch the experience by choosing chapter books to read over time. Reading aloud models all the reading behaviors that young children need to emulate as they begin to make the connection between spoken and written words.
Build Background Knowledge
Offer young children a wide variety of hands-on experiences, including daily tasks such as grocery shopping, folding or sorting laundry, and cooking, as well as walks in the park, trips to the zoo, arts and crafts, games, etc. Talk about the experience as it is occurring and encourage them to think about it later by asking children to retell the even, describe the scene, or evaluate the task.
Parents who discuss information and experiences with their children help develop broad vocabularies, good thinking skills, and better comprehension because their children will have a wealth of experiences to draw on when learning something new.
Provide a Variety of Reading Materials
Fill the home with reading materials, including books of all levels, magazines, and newspapers. Provide plenty of different types of paper and writing tools to encourage experimentation with writing and creative book responses, such as drawing scenes or characters.
Write Frequently with Young Children
Encourage children to write and then read their own books using the Language Experience Approach or a similar method. They will quickly begin to recognize words they use in their own writing, and learn the connection between spoken and written language.
Limit TV or Other Screen Time
Keep TV and other screen time to a minimum in favor of hands-on play or experiences. When choosing TV or videos, try as often as possible to choose educational shows that will broaden the child’s experiences, and talk about what they’ve seen with them to encourage more active engagement.
Make Reading Fun
Visit the library or bookstore frequently. Take part in special events, such as book openings, reading clubs, or incentive programs. Take advantage of a child’s natural curiosity by finding books on topics of interest and using them to enhance learning.
Set an Example as a Reader and Writer
Encourage independent reading by all members of the family. Let the young reader see the adults in the house choosing books, discussing things they’ve read, looking up information of interest, and writing for a variety of purposes.
Readers go through school and life with the advantage of increased background knowledge, larger vocabularies, better comprehension, stronger focus, and more effective study skills. A strong foundation in literacy and a motivation to read are essential to giving children this lifelong advantage.
Further Reading
Taylor, D. Family Literacy: Young Children Learning to Read and Write. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1998.
Vukelich, Carol & others. Helping Young Children Learn Language and Literacy: Birth through Kindergarten. Columbus, OH: Allyn & Bacon, 2007.
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