How to Grow Your Preschooler’s Love Of Books

After dedicating the month of June to picky eaters and feeding disorders, Mommy Minute Monday will be a little bit of everything in July. From ways to use sign language to teach manners to using classic toys to grow your child’s language skills, there is something for everyone. Today’s topic is tips to successful book sharing with your preschooler.

1. Look Letters!
Around age 3 children begin to become excited about letters. Help grow your child’s passion for reading by pointing out letters and words everywhere you go. I know life gets crazy busy and you may not always have the time or energy for story time before bed but there is always time to squeeze literacy into your preschoolers day. Think of all the everyday activities you do that requires reading. Now make those moments into learning moments by taking the extra few minutes to point out the letters. My personal favorite letter learning opportunities: restaurant menus, signs at the grocery store, grocery/retail receipts, road signs, and license plates. There is always time for learning, even when your running late.

2. Funny Voices
As your child’s pretend play skills become more complex, the more they will be interested in story characters.  Children become more excited about learning new words through reading, when you make story time fun.  Use different voices for various characters and ask your child to help you.

3. I Wonder
While you are sharing books, avoid asking “test” questions such as “What color is this bird?”. Test questions do not leave room for back and forth communication between you and your child. Instead, encourage him or her to tell the story using the pictures, by guiding them with specific questions, such as “I wonder what the boy is going to do next?” or “I wonder where the turtle is going?”.

4. Nothing But Feelings
As any mom or grandparent of a preschooler knows, preschoolers can be so dramatic! One minute they are happy and giving you a hug, then the next minute they have a scowl on their face stating, “You’re not my friend.”. Play to their dramatic side by choosing books with plots about feelings.  Here are a few of our favorite:
Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day
The Way I Feel

5. Five New Words
Don’t stress over reading all the words in a story, especially if your child is having a hard time focusing. Instead, target teaching your child five new words while you look through the book. Be careful not to just target nouns (people, places or things). Try varying the types of words you are teaching. Here is a quick list:
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives (descriptor words such as shape, color, texture, smell)
Prepositions

If you enjoyed this topic be sure to check out my post on sharing books with your baby and your toddler. Also, come back on Thursday for a very exciting literacy giveaway from Page’s Corner. Xander and I had the opportunity to review their fantastic StoryCraft Box, containing a new book, materials and instructions for 2 craft and learning activities. We will be sharing our thoughts, pictures and videos of what our experience with the activities. In the meantime, check out their website or Facebook Page for more information.

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Tagged as: books about feelings, giveaway, literacy, preschooler, shared book reading, teaching