Many parents and teachers want to know how to help preschool children prepare for the heavy academic requirement to read in kindergarten. Reading with preschool children is a fun and effective way to give them a solid foundation.

While reading, think about, teach, and discuss these concepts with children:

1. Phonological Awareness
*rhyming
*tapping syllables
*compound words
*identifying the first sound (not letter) in words

2. Print Awareness
*find a certain letter on the page or throughout the book
*finger track while reading, to show how words are organized on a page
*spell out a few main words (character names, book title)

3. Narrative Language
*discuss main plot elements (character, setting, problem, feelings, plans, consequences, ending)
*ask "why" to build cause/effect
*discuss sequences of events
*predict what will happen next, using clues from the book
*make connections between the story and the child's experiences