Does your child have a favorite book? Do they want to read it all the time. You are ready to burn the book, but wouldn’t because they love it so much. Only to have a few weeks later they find another book they want to read all the time. Welcome to the preschooler.
Preschoolers get something out of every reading of the same book. Enjoy this time with them, they are very inquisitive, and ready to learn all there is to know about reading. When my youngest son was 3 years old I heard him crying in his room. I went to his room and found him sitting on his bed holding a book with tears running down his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said, “I just wish I could read.” I went on to assure him he was reading and showed him all the things he could read and told him that before long he would be able to read that book he was holding.
Reading to your preschooler is the most important thing you can do to get them ready to be successful in school. Make a time everyday where you can spend time snuggled up together reading together. You may only have time for one book, but take the time to read. Their literacy development depends on it. Teachers will ask you if you can do nothing else with your child, please read to them.
When reading with them there are so many things you can do to encourage and build their literacy skill development. One of the first things to do is tell your child how much you love to read to them and model how much you love to read on your own. They still want to do the things you like, so make sure they know reading is a favorite of yours.
Tips for Reading with Preschoolers:
- Picking a book: Let your child pick out the book even if it is the same book over and over and over again.
- Grow their vocabulary: Don’t just read through a book. Stop and discuss the pictures naming items in the picture and growing their understanding of the story.
- Develop alphabet knowledge: Point out letters in the text. Talk about the sound the letter makes.
- Use your voice to make it fun: Make sure to give each character their own voice. Use lots of expression when reading, bring the story to life to help build comprehension skills.
- Know when to stop: Unlike the toddler, preschoolers are done when they are done. Toddlers will continue to listen and check back in with you. Preschoolers will just get angry. Don’t push more than they are willing to do or they will grow to dislike reading.
- Develop a concept of print: Point out print everywhere. When reading point to the words as you are reading. Show them that we read left to right. Point out that words begin and end and have a space between them in a sentence. Talk about some of the basic punctuation you see.
- Interact with the book: Point out things you see in the book and ask them questions about what is happening in the story.
You do not have to do all the things mentioned above every time you read to your child. Pick one or two items and focus on that. You want your child to love reading and hearing stories. Don’t burn them out with over teaching in one reading time. This is supposed to be an enjoyable time snuggled with your child.
Some of my Favorite Books for Preschoolers
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
- Jamberry by Bruce Degen
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
- If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack
- Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
- Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Letwin
70 Comments
Katie Wolfe
Oh my gosh! This totally spoke to me! My son is now 12 but I remember the days of reading and re-reading and re-re-rereading the same book! I even hid Goodnight Moon under his mattress for a few nights because I was so tired of it. But, now I’d give anything to have that toddler stuffed into his footed pajamas waiting with bated breath as we read that lovely book (and used the silly cow puppet that mooed every time he opened his mouth!) Great post!
Barb
Thank you, I to miss those days and would give anything to get them back with my now adult children. I am loving it and reading every book with my grand babies every time they ask. My granddaughter sometimes has me read the same book ten times in a row or more and i just sit and snuggle her and read it no matter how many times she asks.
Jacklynn Watson
I really loved this. I implemented so many of these things when my son was a young one and now strive to do the same with my 4 year old niece. Good information.
Barb
I am glad you enjoyed it. The love of reading is so important for little ones.
Kyndall Bennett
This is wonderful! Children are super analytical and learn things a lot faster than we give them credit for!
Barb
Thank you! That is so true.
Heather
I use to love to read to my kids. I looked forward to it as much as they did. Once they were old enough, we would climb into bed together, each with our own books and read. I miss those days.
Barb
I miss them too. I am so glad I get to do it with my grandchildren now.
Lisa Manderino
I love Dragons love Taco’s! So fun!
Barb
SO does my grandson. He now has the first book and the second book.
Malia
So true about preschoolers and knowing when to stop. When they are done, they are DONE! I loved this article and being reminded of when my kids were little!
Barb
I am glad you liked the article. You cannot push those preschoolers without a meltdown.
Tracy
Great post! I buy books all the time for our grandkids.
Barb
All of my posts have books to go with them. If you are ever looking for a good book, visit my blog and check out the books in any post.
Joanne
Reading is a great way for learning but also spending precious one on one time!
Barb
Yes, it is so important for that special time together snuggled with a book.
Robin
Great advice & good reminder that you don’t have to do all of those things at the same time every time you read. My son sometimes tells me that he just wants me to read and not have me ask him to sound out everything every time, lol, so I have to remind myself that while it’s good to do sometimes, I don’t want to turn it into a negative experience for him!
Barb
That is one of the hardest things to remember, because we want them to do it. Sometimes we just need to help them make it enjoyable.
Katie
Great tips for people with little! Mine have outgrown that stage, but oh how I miss that!
Barb
Me too. Now I am entering that stage again with my grand kids.
Charlene
My favorite way to keep them (And ME!) interested is to change up the voices when reading. Great tip!
Barb
They love when you change the voices.
Angelina
My daughter is one and we read a lot – good to know what to expect with a preschooler and to find some ideas for great books we can read together. Apparently again and again haha!
Barb
Enjoy all those rereads with your little. You will miss them when they are gone. I hope you enjoy the books.
Carolina
We loved reading to our boys when they were little and I am so happy we did because they love to read now. They loved the Pete the Cat books.
Barb
So glad they have a love of reading. Pete the Cat is the Best! It’s all good!
Leigh Ann
You are so right that reading is extremely important as our kids develop. My son is 18 now, but “Where the Wild Things Are” was and is still a family favorite!
Barb
I love Where the Wild things Are, as well.
Sharon
Oh such fun memories! My daughter is almost 7 now and she reads to me! And I love to hear her do the same overly dramatic expression in her voice when she REALLY wants to put on a show! 🙂 One more of my favorite books to read wtih her…Llama Llama Red Pajama (or any of those books).
Barb
I love Llama Llama books as well. My granddaughter who is 1 loves those books.
Stacey
Great tips! And your list of suggested books reminded me of my daughter’s Pete the Cat phase. Great memories!
Barb
Thank you!
Lina
I love reading to my boys. Now that they are able to read on their own for the most part, I have them read to me every night. It is our nightly routine after their homework to read to me. I love it!
Barb
It’s so much fun when you get to that point. Though don’t forget the importance of reading to them as well. Maybe find a chapter book you can read to them over time or take turns reading over a week or few days.
Suzan Ferreira
This brought back such memories….Goodnight Moon was always one of the favs!
Barb
My mom read this to me over and over again and I always give it at a baby shower with their gift.
Yolanda
Thanks for the tips! My children love reading time! My son is working on sight words now so when we read I usually like him read his sights in the story. He has these Batman reading level Books that he tries to read to me; I help him with the words he doesn’t know. He always has a sense of pride when he finishes.
Barb
That is wonderful. It is fun when they learn to and are able to read. Don’t forget to just read to them for fun and enjoyment. Join my blog if you would like. I am getting ready to do a post on sight word activities.
Theresa
Book reading is so important! I read to my granddaughter all the time and this article was a great reminder to point out the words with my finger! I need to work on that. Thanks!
Barb
I am so glad you were able to get reminders from the post. Feel free to join my blog for other fun activities and reminders of ways to work with your granddaughter awhile having fun.
Lisa
Great job. I hated reading when I was a kid. Mom made me sit in a chair many times until my work was done. LOL… Glad that you are doing such a great job.
Barb
After teaching for 30 years and then being a reading specialist, I want to help parents make learning enjoyable for their children. I want all children to be successful and it starts at home.
Jennifer Morrison
This is so great!!! I love reading with children, and my hope is that they always want to be readers. You piqued my curiosity and so I asked my granddaughter. Her favorite book is the princess and the pea.
Barb
That is another great book to read. I wish I could list them all.
Karla
I am really sad that most of my children came to me at 4 years, 5 years, 6 years. They struggle with reading. I’ve been able to enjoy a lot of book and snuggle time with my grandchildren. It makes a difference! Thanks for this!
Barb
It is so sad when they struggle. Enjoy the time with your grands. If they are 2nd grade or younger, look at my other articles and see what other fun things you can do with them.
Kim
Great post! My kids both like reading but I have been reading to them nightly since they were toddlers. Even one of my kids who has a shorter attention span can sit through a book. I hope they grow up loving reading!
Barb
I hope they do too. Feel free to read my other posts to find fun things to do with your children.
Amber Neil
Hey Barb! How cute is that little guy! Our 3rd is now starting preschool and reading is a nightly obsession. We try to find books that can be turned I’m to songs too. The Wonky Donkey if currently number one on the most requested list in our house!
Barb
Thank you! Yes turning just about anything into a song makes it more fun for your little to read and learn. The Wonky Donkey is another GREAT book!
Annette
Excellent tips!!!!! These tips should help all parents with young children. Developing a love of reading is sooo important at a young age and reaps rewards when the kiddos get older.
Barb
Thank you for your comments. I believe a love of reading is the best thing we can instill in children.
Liza
I am an English major and a lover of books. The value of reading is huge.
Barb
I firmly believe in the value of reading as well.
T.M. Brown
My boys have always been readers!! I swear the second one came OUT with a book in hand. LOL. So many of those books listed above were once a part of our library.
Barb
My youngest also came out with a book in his hands. Glad you enjoyed many of these books with your children.
jen
I loe reading with my kids.
Barb
I am so glad you love reading with your children. It is One of the best things you can do to support their learning.
Cindy
Great tips! I loved reading to my children when they were tiny. Right before nap time every day was our traditional reading time. Each of my three kids picked a book and we all snuggled together. Precious times. Thanks for reminding me.
Barb
I am glad this provoked some good memories. Those are such precious times.
Pauline
Our kids are readers. The two girls weren’t into until they got older but my toddler son loves to read. These are such great tips.
Barb
I am so glad your children are readers. I hope the tips are helpful to you. Please join the blog for more fun things to do with your little.
Amanda
My kids are old now 🙁 But I watch my niece once a week. I am totally going to try some of these ideas with her. Thanks!
Barb
I hope they are helpful for you. Please join my blog for more fun activities to do with your niece.
Amber Dunn
We love “The Bear Snores On”.
Barb
I love the bear series.
Katie
I agree! It’s so important to read with young kids. When I was a nanny, one of our favorite things to do was go to the library or barnes and noble for storytime. We always checked out books at the library as well! Every week.
Barb
We take our granddaughter to storytime as well. We love to read books.
Nicki
I agree. Reading is so important for littles. We have read to our daughter every night since she went into a “big girl bed”. She now reads to us every night.
Barb
We loved reading to our littles. We had even more fun when they would take turns reading to us from our favorite chapter books.