Specialist Snippets

Children aged 4-6 are at a crucial stage for developing reading skills, which are essential for the rest of their future learning. At this age, it's important for parents to create a rich literacy environment at home. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your home supports and celebrates reading and learning:

• Read together daily: reading together not only helps children recognize words and sounds but also fosters a love for books. 

• Encourage children to tell stories: ask children to re-tell stories they have heard or to make up their own. Ask questions about the stories the help to identify different words, letter sounds, or story elements like characters and setting. 

• Engage in activities that involve letters and sounds: engagement with letters and sounds can significantly boost children's reading abilities. Hunt for letters while driving down the road or shopping in the grocery store together. 

• Provide a variety of books: By catering to children's interests and reading level you can help reading remain a fun and engaging activity. 

• Establishing a routine that includes dedicated reading time: making time for reading helps to show that it is something that is valued in your home and can help children develop a consistent habit. 

• Provide positive reinforcement and celebrate small milestones: recognition for effort and growth further motivate children and helps to build their confidence in their reading skills.

Want to read more? Check out one of these resources

• 15 Fun Ways to Develop Emergent Literacy Skills in Your Child

• The Alphabetic Principle: Connecting Sounds to Letters

• The Benefits of Reading to Toddlers

• 15 Ways to Encourage Reading in Pre-Readers