Learning to Read ? Age by Age Guide
Learning to Read ? Age by Age Guide
Learning to read is a gradual process. It helps to start early and
encourage your child’s interest in reading. A child as young as 6
months of
age can begin to enjoy books. The following are some age-by-age
activities
to help your young child learn language and begin to make the
connection
between words and meaning:
Birth to 1 year of age
Play frequently with your baby. Talk, sing, recite rhymes and do
finger
plays. This helps your baby learn spoken language and builds a strong
foundation for reading.
Talk with your baby, making eye contact. Allow time for your baby to
respond before moving on to the next idea.
Give your baby board books or soft books to look at, chew on or bang
on the
table.
Look at picture books with your baby and name the objects that he
sees. Say
things like "See the baby!" or "Look at the puppy!"
Snuggle with your baby on your lap and read aloud to him. He may not
understand the story, but he will love to hear the sound of your
voice and
the rhythm of the language.
1 to 3 years of age
Read to your child every day. Allow your child to pick which books he
wants, even if he picks the same one time and time again!
Let your child "read" to you by naming objects in the book or making
up a
story.
Make regular trips to the library with your child. Most children
find it
very exciting to get a library card. Make this moment something to
celebrate.
Continue to talk, sing, recite rhymes and play with your child.
3 to 5 years of age
By 3 to 5 years of age, most children are just beginning to learn the
alphabet ? singing their ABCs, knowing the letters of their names.
Read
alphabet books with your child and point out letters as you read.
Help your child recognize whole words as well as letters. Learning
and
remembering what words look like are the first steps to learning to
read.
Point out common, everyday things like the letters on a stop sign or
the
logo on a favorite restaurant.
As you read together, ask your child to make up his own story about
what is
happening in the book. Keep reading a part of your child’s bedtime
routine.
Some educational television shows, videos and computer programs can
help
your child learn to read. They can also make learning fun. But you
need to
be involved, too. If your child is watching Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
or
Sesame Street, for example, sit and talk about what the program is
trying
to teach. Limit screen time to no more than one or two hours per day
of
educational, nonviolent programs.
If possible, give your child a subscription to a children’s magazine.
Children love getting mail, and it is something they can read as
well!
dari www.aap.org
