# Helping Your Child

# Become a Reader

# 

## With activities for children

**from infancy through age 6**

**------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------**

**U.S. Department of Education**

Rod Paige

##### *Secretary* 

####### Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs

Laurie M. Rich

*Assistant Secretary*

John McGrath

*Senior Director for Community Services and Partnerships*

First published in January 2000. Reprinted in 2002, with updates.

This booklet is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in
whole or in part for educational purposes is granted. While permission
to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be:

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs

*Helping Your Child Become a Reader*

Washington, D.C., 20202

To order copies of this publication in English or Spanish **write to:**

ED Pubs

Education Publications Center

U.S. Department of Education

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Jessup, MD 20794-1398

or **fax** your request to: **(301) 470-1244**

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or **call** in your request toll-free: **1-877-433-7827**
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or **order on-line** at: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html.

This publication is also available on the Department's website at:
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On request, this publication is available in alternative formats, such
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Children's books and magazines are mentioned in this booklet as examples
and are only a few of many appropriate children's books and periodicals.
Other materials mentioned are provided as resources and examples for the
reader's convenience. Listing of materials and resources in this book
should not be construed or interpreted as an endorsement by the
Department of any private organization or business listed herein.

## Foreword

Years of research show clearly that children are more likely to succeed
in learning when their families actively support them. When you and
other family members read with your children, help them with homework,
talk with their teachers, and participate in school or other learning
activities, you give your children a tremendous advantage.

Other than helping your children to grow up healthy and happy, the most
important thing that you can do for them is to help them develop their
reading skills. It is no exaggeration to say that how well children
learn to read affects directly not only how successful they are in
school but how well they do throughout their lives. When children learn
to read, they have the key that opens the door to all the knowledge of
the world. Without this key, many children are left behind.

At the heart of the *No Child Left Behind Act of 2001* is a promise to
raise standards for all children and to help all children meet those
standards. To help meet this goal, the President is committed to
supporting and promoting the very best teaching programs, especially
those that teach young people how to read. Well-trained reading teachers
and reading instruction that is based on research can bring the best
teaching approaches and programs to all children and so help to ensure
that "no child is left behind". However, the foundation for learning to
read is in place long before children enter school and begin formal
reading instruction. You and your family help to create this foundation
by talking, listening, and reading to your children every day and by
showing them that you value, use, and enjoy reading in your lives.

This booklet includes activities for families with children from infancy
through age 6. Most of the activities make learning experiences out of
the everyday routines in which you and your children participate. Most
use materials that are found in your home or that can be had
free-of-charge from your local library. The activities are designed to
be fun for both you and your children as you help them to gain the
skills they need to become readers. Enjoy them!

## Contents

**Introduction**

**Becoming a Reader**

> Talking and Listening
>
> Reading Together
>
> Learning about Print and Books
>
> Early Efforts to Write
>
> Reading in Another Language

**Activities**

###### Baby Talk

> Books and Babies
>
> Chatting with Children
>
> As Simple as ABC
>
> What Happens Next?
>
> A Home for My Books
>
> A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words
>
> Rhyme with Me: It's Fun, You'll See !
>
> Match My Sounds
>
> Take a Bow !
>
> Family Stories
>
> Write On!

**Other Ways to Help**

> Visiting the Library
>
> Learning with Computers
>
> Taking Charge of TV

**If You Think There's a Problem**

**A Reading Checklist**

**Typical Language Accomplishments for Children, Birth to Age 6**

**Resources for Families and Caregivers**

**Resources for Children**

######## Bibliography 

######## Acknowledgements 

**Introduction**

You could say that your baby starts on the road to becoming a reader on
the day she[^1] is born and first hears the sounds of your voice. Every
time you speak to her, sing to her, and respond to the sounds that she
makes, you strengthen your child's understanding of language. With you
to guide her, she is well on her way to becoming a reader.

To understand the connection between a child's early experiences with
spoken language and learning to read, you might think of language as a
four-legged stool. The four legs are talking, listening, reading, and
writing. All four legs are important; each leg helps to support and
balance the others.

This booklet gives you information about how you can use your language
skills to build your child's skills. It offers suggestions about how you
can:

-   Talk with and listen to your child.

-   Read together with her.

-   Help your child learn about books and print.

-   Encourage your child's early writing efforts.

-   Help your child learn to read if his first language is not English.

-   Prepare your child for success in school.

    The major portion of the booklet contains activities that you can
    use with your child to strengthen her language skills and encourage
    her love of reading. However, these activities are only a starting
    point. We hope that you and your child will enjoy them enough to
    create and try many more on your own. As a parent, you are your
    child's first and most important teacher. You don't need to be the
    best reader to help---your time and interest and the pleasure that
    you share with your child as part of reading together are what
    counts. If you would like more information about helping your child
    with reading, this booklet also provides lists of books and Web
    sites and the names of groups that you can contact.

    We all know that older children can do things that younger ones
    can't. This is true for reading, too. To help show when children can
    take certain learning steps, this booklet ties the discussion and
    activities to four age groups:

    Baby = birth to 1 year

    Toddler = 1 to 3 years

    Preschooler = ages 3 and 4

    Kindergartner/early first-grader = ages 5 and 6

    Keep in mind, however, that children don't all learn at the same
    pace. And even though they learn new things, they may have "old
    favorites"---books and activities from earlier years---that they
    still enjoy. You are the best person to decide which activities will
    work best for your child.

    Children become readers step by step. By age 7, most children are
    reading. Some take longer than others, and some need extra help.
    When children receive the right kind of help in their early years,
    reading difficulties that can arise later in their lives can be
    prevented. This booklet offers steps that you can take to start your
    child on the way to becoming a successful reader. It is an adventure
    that you will not want to miss, and the benefits for your child will
    last a lifetime.

    "As parents, the most important thing we can do is read to our
    children early and often. Reading is the path to success in school
    and life. When children learn to love books, they learn to love
    learning."

    \- Laura Bush

## Becoming a Reader {#becoming-a-reader .unnumbered}

Every step a child takes toward learning to read leads to another. Bit
by bit, the child builds the knowledge that is necessary for being a
reader. Over their first 6 years, most children

-   Talk and listen.

-   Listen to stories read aloud.

-   Pretend to read.

-   Learn how to handle books.

-   Learn about print and how it works.

-   Identify letters by name and shape.

-   Identify separate sounds in spoken language.

-   Write with scribbles and drawing.

-   Connect single letters with the sounds they make.

-   Connect what they already know to what they hear read.

-   Predict what comes next in stories and poems.

-   Connect combinations of letters with sounds.

-   Recognize simple words in print.

-   Sum up what a story is about.

-   Write individual letters of the alphabet.

-   Write words.

-   Write simple sentences.

-   Read simple books.

-   Write to communicate.

-   Read simple books.

    Children can take more than one of these steps at the same time.
    This list of steps, though, gives you a general idea of how your
    child will progress toward reading. (For more details, see **Typical
    Language Accomplishments for Children, Birth to Age 6,** page 38).

### Talking and Listening {#talking-and-listening .unnumbered}

Scientists who study the brain have found out a great deal about how we
learn. They have discovered that babies learn much more from the sights
and sounds around them than we thought previously. You can help your
baby by taking advantage of her hunger to learn.

From the very beginning, babies try to imitate the sounds that they hear
us make. They "read" the looks on our faces and our movements. That's
why it is so important to talk, sing, smile, and gesture to your child.
Hearing you talk is your baby's very first step toward becoming a
reader, because it helps her to love language and to learn words. (See
"Baby Talk," page 11.)

As your child grows older, continue talking with her. Ask her about the
things she does. Ask her about the events and people in the stories you
read together. Let her know you are listening carefully to what she
says. By engaging her in talking and listening, you are also encouraging
your child to think as she speaks. In addition, you are showing that you
respect her knowledge and her ability to keep learning. (See "Chatting
with Children," page 13.)

### Reading Together {#reading-together .unnumbered}

Imagine sitting your baby in your lap and reading a book to him for the
first time. How different from just talking! Now you're showing him
pictures. You point to them. In a lively way, you explain what the
pictures are. You've just helped you child take the next step beyond
talking. You've shown him that words and pictures connect. And you've
started him on his way to understanding and enjoying books.

While your child is still a baby, reading aloud to him should become
part of your daily routine. Pick a quiet time, such as just before you
put him to bed. This will give him a chance to rest between play and
sleep. If you can, read with him in your lap or snuggled next to you so
that he feels close and safe. As he gets older, he may need to move
around some as you read to him. If he gets tired or restless, stop
reading. Make reading aloud a quiet and comfortable time that your child
looks forward to. Chances are very good that he will like reading all
the more because of it.

Try to spend at least 30 minutes each day reading to and with your
child. At first, read for no more than a few minutes at a time, several
times a day. As your child grows older, you should be able to tell if he
wants you to read for longer periods. Don't be discouraged if you have
to skip a day or don't always keep to your schedule. Just get back to
your daily routine as soon as you can. Most of all, make sure that
reading stays fun for both of you!

Reading books with their children is one of the most important things
that parents can do to help their children become readers.

#### What Does It Mean? {#what-does-it-mean .unnumbered}

From the earliest days, talk with your child about what you are reading.
You might point to pictures and name what is in them. When he is ready,
have him do the same. Ask him, for example, if he can find the little
mouse in the picture, or do whatever is fun and right for the book.
Later on, as you read stories, read slowly and stop now and then to
think aloud about what you've read. From the time your child is able to
talk, ask him such questions about the story as, "What do you think will
happen next?" or "Do you know what a palace is?" Answer his questions
and, if you think he doesn't understand something, stop and talk more
about what he asked. Don't worry if you occasionally break the flow of a
story to make clear something that is important. However, don't stop so
often that the child loses track of what is happening in the story.

#### Look for Books! {#look-for-books .unnumbered}

The books that you pick to read with your child are very important. If
you aren't sure of what books are right for your child, ask a librarian
to help you choose titles. (For more information on what libraries have
to offer, see "Visiting the Library," page 27.)

Introduce your child to books when she is a baby. Let her hold and play
with books made just for babies: board books with study cardboard covers
and thick pages; cloth books that are soft and washable, touch-and-feel
books, or lift-the-flap books that contain surprises for your baby to
discover. Choose books with covers that have big, simple pictures of
things that she sees every day. Don't be upset if at first your child
chews or throws a book. Be patient. Cuddling with the child as you point
to and talk with great excitement about the book's pictures will soon
capture her interest. When your baby becomes a toddler, she will enjoy
helping to choose books for you to read to her.

As your child grows into a preschooler and kindergartner, the two of you
can look for books that have longer stories and more words on the pages.
Also look for books that have repeating words and phrases that she can
begin to read or recognize when she sees them. By early first grade, add
to this mix some books designed for beginning readers, including some
books that have chapters and some books that show photographs and
provide true information rather than make-believe stories.

Keep in mind that young children most often enjoy books about people,
places, and things that are like those they know. The books can be about
where you live or about parts of your culture, such as your religion,
your holidays, or the way that you dress. If your child has special
interests, such as dinosaurs or ballerinas, look for books about those
interests.

From your child's toddler years through early first grade, you also
should look for books of poems and rhymes. Remember when your baby heard
your talking sounds and tried to imitate them? Rhymes are an extension
of that language skill. By hearing and saying rhymes, along with
repeated words and phrases, your child learns about spoken sounds and
about words. Rhymes also spark a child's excitement about what comes
next, which adds fun and adventure to reading. (For rhyming activities,
see "Rhyme with Me: It's Fun, You'll See!" page 20.)

#### Show Your Child That You Read {#show-your-child-that-you-read .unnumbered}

When you take your child to the library, check out a book for yourself.
Then set a good example by letting your child see you reading for
yourself. Ask your child to get one of her books and sit with you as you
read your book, magazine, or newspaper. Don't worry if you feel
uncomfortable with your own reading ability. It's the reading that
counts. When your child sees that reading is important to you, she may
decide that it is important to her, too. (For ideas on how to help your
child love books, see "A Home for My Books," page 18.)

### Learning about Print and Books {#learning-about-print-and-books .unnumbered}

Reading together is a perfect time to help a late toddler or early
preschooler learn what print is. As you read aloud, stop now and then
and point to letters and words; then point to the pictures they stand
for. Your child will begin to understand that the letters form words and
that words name pictures. He will also start to learn that each letter
has its own sound---one of the most important things your child can know
when learning to read.

By the time children are 4, most have begun to understand that printed
words have meaning. By age 5, most will begin to know that not just the
story but the printed words themselves go from left to right. Many
children will even start to identify some capital and small letters and
simple words. (For some ideas on learning letters, see **"**As Simple as
ABC," page 14.)

In late kindergarten or early first grade, your child may want to read
on his own. Let him! But be sure that *he* wants to do it. Reading
should be something he is proud of and eager to do and not a lesson.

#### How Does a Book Work?  {#how-does-a-book-work .unnumbered}

Children are fascinated by how books look and feel. They see how easily
you handle and read books, and they want to do the same. When your
toddler watches you handle books, she begins to learn that a book is for
reading, not tearing or tossing around. Before she is 3, she may even
pick one up and pretend to read, an important sign that she is beginning
to know what a book is for. As your child becomes a preschooler, she is
learning that

-   A book has a front cover.

-   A book has a beginning and an end.

-   A book has pages.

-   A page in a book has a top and a bottom.

-   You turn pages one at a time to follow the story.

-   You read a story from left to right of a page.

    As you read with your 4-- or 5--year-old, begin to remind her about
    these things. Read the title on the cover. Talk about the picture on
    the cover. Point to the place where the story starts and, later,
    where it ends. Let your child help turn the pages. When you start a
    new page, point to where the words of the story continue and keep
    following the words by moving your finger beneath them. It takes
    time for a child to learn these things, but when your child does
    learn them, she has solved some of reading's mysteries.

### Early Efforts To Write {#early-efforts-to-write .unnumbered}

Writing and reading go hand in hand. As your child is learning one, he
is learning the other. You can do certain things to make sure that he
gets every opportunity to practice both. When he is about 2 years old,
for example, give your child crayons and paper and encourage him to draw
and scribble. He will have fun choosing which colors to use and which
shapes to make. As he holds and moves the crayons, he will also develop
muscle control. When he is a late toddler or early preschooler, he will
become as eager to write as he is to read. (For more ideas on how to
encourage your child's desire to write, see "As Simple as ABC," page 14,
and "Write On!" page 25.)

Your preschool child's scribbles or drawings are his first writing. He
will soon begin to write the alphabet letters. Writing the letters helps
your child learn about their different sounds. His very early learning
about letters and sounds gives him ideas about how to begin spelling
words. When he begins writing words, don't worry that he doesn't spell
them correctly. Instead, praise him for his efforts! In fact, if you
look closely, you'll see that he's made a pretty good try at spelling a
word for the first time. Later on, with help from teachers (and from
you), he will learn the right way to spell words. For the moment,
however, he has taken a great step toward being a writer.

### Reading in Another Language {#reading-in-another-language .unnumbered}

If your child's first language is not English, she can still become an
excellent English reader and writer. She is on her way to successful
English reading if she is beginning to learn many words and is
interested in learning to read in her first language. You can help by
supporting her in her first language as she learns English. Talk with
her, read with her, encourage her to draw and write. In other words, do
the same kinds of activities just discussed, but do them in your child's
first language.

When your child first enters school, talk with her teacher. Teachers
welcome such talks. They even have sign-up times early in the year,
though usually you may ask for a meeting at any time. If you feel that
you need some support in meeting with the teacher, ask a relative,
neighbor, or someone else in your community to go with you.

When you do meet, tell the teacher the things that you are doing at home
to strengthen your child's speaking and reading in her own language. Let
the teacher know how important you child's reading is to you and ask for
support for your efforts. Children who can switch back and forth between
languages have accomplished something special. They should be praised
and encouraged as they work for this achievement.

For a list of multiple-language books, see **Resources for Children,**
page 51.

## Activities {#activities .unnumbered}

What follows are ideas for language-building activities that you can do
with your child to help her build the skills she needs to become a
reader. Most public libraries offer free use of books, magazines,
videos, computers, and other services. Other things that you might need
for these activities are not expensive.

For each set of activities, we give an age span that suggests when
children should try them. From one activity to the next, we continue to
talk about children at different stages: babies (birth to 1 year),
toddlers (1 to 3 years), preschoolers (ages 3 and 4), and
kindergartner/early first-graders (ages 5 and 6). Remember that children
don't always learn the same things at the same rate. And they don't
suddenly stop doing one thing and start doing another just because they
are a little older. So use the ages as guides as your child learns and
grows. Don't consider them to be hard and fast rules.

You'll see that your role in the activities will change, too. Just as
you hold up your child when he's learning to walk, you will help him a
lot when he's taking his first language steps. As he grows, you will
gradually let go, and he will take more and more language steps on his
own. That is why in most of the activities we say, "The first activities
. . . work well with younger children. As your child grows older, the
later activities let him do more."

As a parent, you can help your child *want* to learn in a way no one
else can. That desire to learn is a key to your child's later success.
Enjoyment is important! So, if you and your child don't enjoy one
activity, move on to another. You can always return to any activity
later on.

### Baby Talk {#baby-talk-1 .unnumbered}

#### For babies from birth to 1 year  {#for-babies-from-birth-to-1-year .unnumbered}

Babies love hearing your voice. When you answer your child's sounds with
sounds of your own, she learns that what she "says" has meaning and is
important to you.

##### What to Do  {#what-to-do .unnumbered}

-   Talk to your baby often. Answer her coos, gurgles, and smiles. Talk,
    touch, and smile back. Get her to look at you.

-   Play simple talking and touching games with your baby. Ask, "Where's
    your nose?" Then touch her nose and say playfully, "There's your
    nose!" Do this several times, then switch to an ear or knee or
    tummy. Stop when she (or you) grows tired of the game.

-   Change the game by touching the nose or ear and repeating the word
    for it several times. Do this with objects, too. When she hears you
    name something over and over again, your child begins to connect the
    sound with what it means.

-   Do things that interest your baby. Vary your tone of voice, make
    funny faces, sing lullabies, and recite simple nursery rhymes. Play
    "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake" with her.

    > It's so important to talk to your baby! With your help, her coos
    > and gurgles will one day give way to words.

### Books and Babies {#books-and-babies .unnumbered}

#### For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year {#for-babies-from-age-6-weeks-to-1-year .unnumbered}

Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on
the road to becoming a reader.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need .unnumbered}

Cardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures of things with
which babies are familiar

Lift-the-flap, touch-and-feel, or peek-through play books (For
suggestions, see **Resources for Children**, page 51.)

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-1 .unnumbered}

-   Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Bedtime is
    always a good time, but you can read at other times as well---while
    you're in the park, on the bus, or even at the breakfast table
    (without the food!).

-   As you read, point out things in the pictures. Name them as you
    point to them.

-   Give your baby sturdy books to look at, touch, and hold. Allow him
    to peek through the holes or lift the flaps to discover surprises.

    Babies soon recognize the faces and voices of those who care for
    them. As you read to your baby, he will begin to connect books with
    what he loves most---your voice and closeness.

### Chatting with Children {#chatting-with-children .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 1 to 6 {#for-children-ages-1-to-6 .unnumbered}

Continue talking with your older child as you did with your baby.
Talking helps him to develop language skills and lets him know that what
he says is important.

##### What to Do  {#what-to-do-2 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more.
However, keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

-   Talk often with your toddler. When feeding, bathing, and dressing
    him, ask him to name or find different objects or clothing. Point
    out colors, sizes, and shapes.

-   Talk with your child as you read together. Point to pictures and
    name what is in them. When he is ready, ask him to do the same. Ask
    him about his favorite parts of the story, and answer his questions
    about events or characters.

-   Teach your toddler to be a helper by asking him to find things. As
    you cook, give him pots and pans or measuring spoons to play with.
    Ask him what he is doing and answer his questions.

-   Whatever you do together, talk about it with your child. When you
    eat meals, take walks, go to the store, or visit the library, talk
    with him. These and other activities give the two of you a chance to
    ask and answer questions such as, "Which flowers are red? Which are
    yellow?" "What else do you see in the garden?" Challenge your child
    by asking questions that need more than a "yes" or "no" answer.

-   Listen to your child's questions patiently and answer them just as
    patiently. If you don't know the answer to a question, have him join
    you as you look for the answer in a book. He will then see how
    important books are as sources of information.

-   Have your child tell you a story. Then ask him questions, explaining
    that you need to understand better.

-   When he is able, ask him to help you in the kitchen. He might set
    the table or decorate a batch of cookies. A first-grader may enjoy
    helping you follow a simple recipe. Talk about what you're fixing,
    what you're cooking with, what he likes to eat, and more.

-   Ask yourself if the TV is on too much. If so, turn it off and talk!

    Talking and having conversations with your child play a necessary
    part in helping his language skills grow.

### As Simple as ABC {#as-simple-as-abc .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 2 to 6 {#for-children-ages-2-to-6 .unnumbered}

Sharing the alphabet with your child helps her begin to recognize the
shapes of letters and to link them with the sounds of spoken language.
She will soon learn the difference between individual letters---what
they look like and what they sound like.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-1 .unnumbered}

Alphabet books (see **Resources for Children**, page 51)

ABC magnets

Paper, pencils, crayons, markers

Glue and safety scissors

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-3 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let her do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as she enjoys them.

-   With your toddler sitting with you, print the letters of her name on
    paper and say each letter as you write it. Make a name sign for her
    room or other special place. Have her decorate the sign by pasting
    stickers or drawing on it.

-   Teach your child "The Alphabet Song" and play games with her using
    the alphabet. Some alphabet books have songs and games that you can
    learn together.

-   Look for educational videos, DVDs, CDs, and TV shows such as
    "Between the Lions" that feature letter-learning activities for
    young children. Watch such programs with your child and join in with
    her on the rhymes and songs.

-   Place alphabet magnets on your refrigerator or on another smooth,
    safe metal surface. Ask your child to name the letters she plays
    with and to say the words she may be trying to spell.

-   Wherever you are with your child, point out individual letters in
    signs, billboards, posters, food containers, books, and magazines.
    When she is 3 to 4 years old, ask her to begin finding and naming
    some letters.

-   When your child is between ages 3 and 4, encourage her to spell and
    write her name. For many children, their names are the first words
    they write. At first, your child may use just one or two letters for
    her name (for example, Emily, nicknamed Em, uses the letter *M*).

-   Make an alphabet book with your kindergartner. Have her draw
    pictures (you can help). You can also cut pictures from magazines or
    use photos. Paste each picture in the book. Help your child to write
    next to the picture the letter that stands for the object or person
    in the picture (for example, *B* for bird, *M* for milk, and so on).

    When you show your child letters and words over and over again, she
    will identify and use them more easily when learning to read and
    write. She will be eager to learn when the letters and words are
    connected to things that are part of her life.

### What Happens Next? {#what-happens-next .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 2 to 6  {#for-children-ages-2-to-6-1 .unnumbered}

Books with words or actions that appear over and over help your child to
predict or tell what happens next. These are called "predictable" books.
Your child will love to figure out the story in a predictable book!

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-2 .unnumbered}

Predictable books with repeated words, phrases, questions, or rhymes
(For suggested titles, see **Resources for Children,** page 51.)

##### What to Do  {#what-to-do-4 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

-   Read predictable books to your child. Teach him to hear and say
    repeating words, such as names for colors, numbers, letters, and
    animals.

-   Pick a story that has repeated phrases, such as this example from
    *The Three Little Pigs*:

    **Wolf Voice**: *Little pig, little pig, let me come in.*

    **Little Pig**: *Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin!*

    **Wolf Voice**: *Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your
    house in!*

    Your child will learn the repeated phrase and have fun joining in
    with you each time it shows up in the story. Pretty soon, he will
    join in before you tell him.

-   Read books that give hints about what might happen next. Such books
    have your child lifting flaps, looking through cut-out holes in the
    pages, "reading" small pictures that stand for words (called
    "rebuses"), and searching for many other clues. Get excited along
    with your child as he hurries to find out what happens next.

-   When reading predictable books, ask your child what he thinks will
    happen. See if he points out picture clues, if he mentions specific
    words or phrases, or if he connects the story to something that
    happens in real life. These are important skills for a beginning
    reader to learn.

    > Predictable books help children to understand how stories
    > progress. A child easily learns familiar phrases and repeats them,
    > pretending to read. Pretend reading gives a child a sense of power
    > and the courage to keep trying.

### A Home for My Books {#a-home-for-my-books .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 2 to 6 {#for-children-ages-2-to-6-2 .unnumbered}

Starting a home library for your child shows her how important books
are. Having books of her own in a special place boosts the chance that
your child will want to read even more.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-3 .unnumbered}

Books from bookstores, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and
sales at your local library

A bookcase, a cardboard box, or other materials to make a place for
books

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-5 .unnumbered}

-   Pick a special place for your child's books so that she knows where
    to look for them. A cardboard box that you can decorate together
    might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family
    bookshelves and make a special place for her to put her books.

-   Help your child to arrange her books in some order---her favorite
    books, books about animals, holiday books. Use whatever method will
    help her most easily find the book she's looking for.

-   Borrow books from your local library. (See "Visiting the Library,"
    page 27.) Go to the children's section and spend time with your
    child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her
    special place. You might even have a box or space just for library
    books, so that they don't get mixed up with your child's own books.

-   Encourage family members and friends to give books to your child as
    presents for birthdays and other occasions.

-   When you and your child make your own books, you can add them to
    your home library. (For ideas on how to make books, see "As Simple
    as ABC," page 14, and "Write On!" page 25.)

> When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send
> your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of
> new things to learn.

### A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

#### For children ages 3 to 6 

Books that have no words, just beautiful pictures, invite you and your
child to use your imaginations to make up your own stories to go with
the pictures.

##### What You Need 

Wordless picture books (For suggestions, see **Resources for Children**,
page 51.)

Old magazines

Safety scissors

Construction paper

##### What to Do

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

-   Look through the whole picture book with your child. Ask him what he
    thinks the story is about. Tell the story together by talking about
    each page as each of you sees it.

-   Ask your child to identify objects, animals, or people on each page.
    Talk with him about the pictures, and ask him if he thinks that they
    are like real life.

-   Have your child tell another child or family member a story using a
    wordless picture book. Doing this will make him feel like a "reader"
    and will encourage him to continue learning to read.

-   Have your child create his own picture book with his drawings or
    pictures that you help him cut from magazines.

    Using wordless picture books can help improve children's language
    skills and spark their imaginations.

### Rhyme with Me: It's Fun, You'll See! {#rhyme-with-me-its-fun-youll-see .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 3 to 6 {#for-children-ages-3-to-6-1 .unnumbered}

Rhyming activities help your child to pay attention to the sounds in
words.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-5 .unnumbered}

Books with rhyming words, word games, or songs

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-7 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let her do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as she enjoys them.

-   Play rhyming games and sing rhyming songs with your child. Many
    songs and games include clapping, bouncing and tossing balls, and
    playing in groups.

-   Read rhymes to your child. As you read, stop before a rhyming word
    and encourage your child to fill in the blank. When she does, praise
    her.

-   Listen for rhymes in songs that you know or hear on the radio, TV,
    or at family or other gatherings. Sing the songs with your child.

-   Around the home, point to objects and say their names, for example,
    *clock.* Then ask your child to say as many words as she can that
    rhyme with the name. Other easily rhymed words are *ball, bed, rug*,
    *sink,* and *toy*. Let your child use some silly, or nonsense, words
    as well: *toy---joy, boy, woy, loy, doy, hoy, noy.*

-   Say three words such as *go, dog*, and *frog*, and ask your child
    which words sound the same---rhyme.

-   If your child has an easy-to-rhyme name, ask her to say words that
    rhyme with it: *Jill---bill, mill, fill, hill*.

-   If a computer is available, encourage your child to use it to play
    rhyming games. (For computer game suggestions, see "Learning with
    Computers**,"** page 29.)

    Children around the world have fun with rhyming games and songs.
    Here are a few rhyming books to look for: *Shake It to the One That
    You Love the Best: Play Songs and Lullabies from Black Musical
    Traditions* by Cheryl Warren Mattox; *Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very
    Young* by Jack Prelutsky; *Diez Deditos:* *10 Little Fingers and
    Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America* by Jose-Luis
    Orozco; and *My Very First Mother Goose* by Iona Opie. (For more
    suggestions, see **Resources for Children,** page 51.)

### Match My Sounds {#match-my-sounds .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 3 to 6 {#for-children-ages-3-to-6-2 .unnumbered}

Listening for and saying sounds in words will help your child to learn
that spoken words are made up of sounds, which gets him ready to match
spoken sounds to written letters---an important first step toward
becoming a reader.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-6 .unnumbered}

Books with nursery rhymes, tongue twisters, word games, or silly songs

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-8 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

-   Say your child's name, then have him say words that begin with the
    same sound; for example: *David---day, doll, dish; Jess---juice,
    jam, jar*.

-   As you read a story or poem, ask your child to listen for and say
    the words that begin with the same sound. Then have him think of and
    say another word that begins with the sound.

-   Read or say a familiar nursery rhyme such as "Humpty, Dumpty." Then
    have your child make it "Bumpty, Lumpty" or "Thumpty, Gumpty."

-   Help your child to make up and say silly lines with lots of words
    that start with the same sound, such as, "Sister saw six silly
    snakes."

-   Say two names for an animal, and tell your child to choose the name
    that begins with the same sound as the animal's name. Ask, for
    example, should a horse's name be Hank or Tank? Should a pig be
    Mattie or Patty? Should a zebra be Zap or Cap?

    Helping children learn to pay attention to sounds in words can
    prevent reading problems later on.

### Take a Bow! {#take-a-bow .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 3 to 6 {#for-children-ages-3-to-6-3 .unnumbered}

When your child acts out a poem or story, she shows her own
understanding of what it is about. She also grows as a reader by
connecting emotions with written words.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-7 .unnumbered}

Poems or stories written from a child's point of view

Things to use in a child's play (dress-up clothes, puppets)

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-9 .unnumbered}

-   Read a poem slowly to your child. Read it with feeling, making the
    words seem important.

-   If your child has a poem she especially likes, ask her to act it
    out. Ask her to make a face to show the way the character in the
    poem is feeling. Making different faces adds emotion to the
    performer's voice. After her performance, praise her for doing a
    good job.

-   Tell your child that the family would love to see her perform her
    poem. Set a time when everyone can be together. When your child
    finishes her performance, encourage her to take a bow as everyone
    claps and cheers loudly.

-   Encourage your child to make up her own play from a story that she
    has read or heard. Tell her that it can be make-believe or from real
    life. Help her to find or make things to go with the story---a
    pretend crown, stuffed animals, a broomstick, or whatever the story
    needs. Some of her friends or family also can help. You can write
    down the words or, if she is old enough, help her to write them.
    Then help her to stage the play for everyone to see!

    Play acting helps a child learn that there are more and less
    important parts to a story. She also learns how one thing in a story
    follows another.

### Family Stories {#family-stories .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 3 to 6 {#for-children-ages-3-to-6-4 .unnumbered}

Telling family stories lets your child know about the people who are
important to him. They also give him an idea of how one thing leads to
another in a story.

##### What to Do {#what-to-do-10 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

-   Tell your child stories about your parents and grandparents or about
    others who are special to you and your family. You might put these
    stories in a book and add old photographs.

-   Think out loud about when you were little. Make a story out of
    something that happened, such as a family trip, a birthday party, or
    when you lost your first tooth.

-   Have your child tell you stories about what he did on special days,
    such as holidays, birthdays, and family vacations.

-   If you go on a trip, write a trip journal with your child to make a
    new family story. Take photographs of special events. Writing down
    special events and pasting photographs of the events in the journal
    will tie the family story to a written history. You can also include
    everyday trips, such as going to the grocery store or the park.

    The storyteller's voice helps your child to hear the sounds of words
    and how they are put together to make meaning.

### Write On! {#write-on .unnumbered}

#### For children ages 3 to 6 {#for-children-ages-3-to-6-5 .unnumbered}

Reading and writing support each other. The more your child does of
each, the better she will be at both.

##### What You Need  {#what-you-need-8 .unnumbered}

Pencils, crayons, or markers

Yarn or ribbon

Writing paper or notebook

Cardboard or heavy paper

Construction paper

Safety scissors

##### What to Do  {#what-to-do-11 .unnumbered}

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children.
As your child grows older, the later activities let her do more. But
keep doing the first ones as long as she enjoys them.

-   Write with your child. She will learn a lot about writing by
    watching you write. Talk with her about your writing so that she
    begins to understand that writing means something and has many uses.

-   Have your preschooler use her way of writing---perhaps just a
    scribble---to sign birthday cards or make lists.

-   Hang a family message board in the kitchen. Offer to write notes
    there for your child. Be sure that she finds notes left there for
    her.

-   Ask your preschooler to tell you simple stories as you write them
    down. Question her if you don't understand something.

-   Encourage your preschooler to write her name and practice writing it
    with her. Remember, at first she may use only the first letter or
    two of her name.

-   Help your child write notes or e-mails to relatives and friends to
    thank them for gifts or to share her thoughts. Encourage the
    relatives and friends to answer your child.

-   When she is in kindergarten, your child will begin to write words
    the way that she hears them. For example, she might write *haf* for
    *have*, *frn* for *friend*, and *Frd* for *Fred*. Ask her to read
    her writing to you. Don't be concerned with correct spelling. She
    will learn that later.

-   As your child gets older, she can begin to write or tell you longer
    stories. Ask questions that will help her organize the stories.
    Answer questions about alphabet letters and spelling.

-   Turn your child's writing into books. Paste her drawings and
    writings on pieces of construction paper. For each book, make a
    cover out of heavier paper or cardboard, then add special art, a
    title, and her name as author. Punch holes in the pages and cover
    and bind the book together with yarn or ribbon.

    When a child is just beginning, she tries different ways to write
    and spell. Our job as parents is to encourage our children's writing
    so they will enjoy putting their thoughts and ideas on paper.
    Provide them with spelling help when they ask for it.

## Other Ways to Help {#other-ways-to-help .unnumbered}

All of the activities discussed so far offer a rich experience for
children as they build their language skills. But you can do even more
to support your child's learning.

### Visiting the Library {#visiting-the-library .unnumbered}

Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning and
discovery for everyone. Ask at the library about getting a library card
in your child's name and, if you don't already have one, get a card for
yourself.

#### The Librarian {#the-librarian .unnumbered}

Introduce yourself and your child to your librarian. Librarians can help
you to select the best books that are both fun and suitable for your
child's age level. They can also show you the other programs and
services the library has to offer.

#### Books . . . and More {#books-.-.-.-and-more .unnumbered}

In addition to a wealth of books, your library most likely will have
tapes and CDs of books, musical CDs and tapes, movies, computers that
you can use, and many more resources. You also might find books in
languages other than English, or programs to help adults improve their
reading. If you would like reading help for yourself or your family,
check with the librarian about literacy programs in your community.
(Also see **Resources for Parents and Caregivers**, page 42.)

#### Supervised Story Times {#supervised-story-times .unnumbered}

-   **Babies and toddlers.** Many libraries have group story hours that
    are short and geared to the attention spans of the children. During
    story hour, child sits in your lap, and both of you can join in the
    story. The storyteller also may show you fingerplays and rhythm
    activities. The storyteller also may give you tips and handouts that
    you can use for your own home story hours.

-   **Preschoolers.** The library may offer these story hours more than
    once a week. For these story hours, you and your child usually read
    several books on the same topic. You might play games, sing songs,
    use puppets, or do other activities that are connected to that
    topic. You also may get ideas for books to read and other things to
    do with your child at home.

-   **Families.** Families can read together, or they may join in a
    story told by the library storyteller. Some libraries also set up
    family activities around the readings, including crafts and art
    projects and watching movies.

#### Summer Reading  {#summer-reading .unnumbered}

After the school year is over, some children may forget what they have
learned about reading. Libraries help keep children interested in
reading by offering summer programs. Children from early elementary
school to high school read books on their own. A teacher or librarian
may give a child a diary or log in which he writes what he read during
the summer. And, because reading aloud is so important to promoting a
love of reading, many libraries offer "Read-to-Me" clubs for preschool
and younger children.

### Learning with Computers {#learning-with-computers .unnumbered}

Computers can't replace the reading and writing activities discussed
earlier in this booklet. But computers can support what these activities
teach your child.

Many computer programs (also called software) offer activities that can
both grab your child's interest and teach good lessons. Children as
young as 3 years old, though they can't read yet, may still have fun
using some of the colorful, action-filled programs with enjoyable
characters. (For computer program ideas, see **Resources for Children**,
page 51.) Computer reading programs let your child

-   Hear stories, read along and read by herself.

-   Play with objects and characters on the screen that teach the
    alphabet, simple words, rhyming words and other skills important to
    learning to read.

-   Command the computer with her voice, record herself reading and play
    back the recording so that she can hear herself.

-   Write simple sentences and make up stories.

-   Add pictures and characters to her stories and have them read back.

-   Make and print her own books.

-   Make slide shows.

-   Gain praise and see improvement in her language abilities.

#### Finding and Using a Computer {#finding-and-using-a-computer .unnumbered}

If you don't have a computer at home, ask your librarian if you and your
child may use one of the library's computers. Your child's school or a
nearby community college might also have a computer laboratory that you
may use. Ask your librarian about good programs for learning to use a
computer. Try a few. They can help you learn basic computer steps before
working with your child. Your librarian also may be able to tell you
where you can get computer training if you want it.

When sitting at a computer with your child, join in at first. Later,
watch as he plays. Always praise and guide him when you need to. Make
sure that you choose the right programs for your child's age. Often, one
program may have activities for many ages. As your child grows, the
program gets more challenging. In fact, if you have children of
different ages, the same program can allow each to learn and practice
different skills.

There are many computer programs available for children, but they vary
in quality. If you can, try a program before you buy it. You also can
check at your local library for reviews of children's programs. Don't
hesitate to ask your librarian or your child's teacher for information
and recommendations about good software.

Many computer programs are available through "Web sites," which are
addresses on the World Wide Web, a part of the Internet. Organizations
such as libraries, colleges, and government offices give people
information through their Web sites. Businesses and other private groups
also give---and sell---information over their Web sites. Good children's
programs are available this way, but again, the quality of such material
varies and you will need to be careful in your choices. For help on how
you can use a computer to hook up to the Internet and find what you
need, check with your librarian.

**Some Useful Computer Resources**

*Parents Guide to the Internet* published by the U.S. Department of
Education, 1997. (call toll-free 1--877--4ED--PUBS to request a free
copy, or order online at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html).

*The Connected Family: Bridging the Digital Generation Gap* by Seymour
Papert and Nicholas Negroponte. Longstreet Press, 1996.

*The Parents' Pocket Guide to Kids and Computers* published by the
Family Computer Workshop, 1998.

*Young Kids and Computers: A Parent's Survival Guide* by Ellen Wolock,
Anne Orr, and Warren Buckleitner. Children's Software Revue, 1998.

For more resources, see "Some Other Informative Web Sites for Parents
and Caregivers, page" 42; "Computer Programs," page 57; and "Young
Children and the Internet: Places to Learn and Play," page 58.

### Taking Charge of TV {#taking-charge-of-tv .unnumbered}

Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it. Keep in mind,
though, that young children often imitate what they see, good or bad.
It's up to you to decide how much TV and what kinds of shows your child
should watch.

-   Think about your child's age and choose the types of things that you
    want him to see, learn, and imitate.

-   Look for TV shows that

    ---teach your child something,

    ---hold his interest,

    ---encourage him to listen and question,

    ---help him learn more words,

    ---make him feel good about himself, and

    ---introduce him to new ideas and things.

-   "Sesame Street," "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," "Blue's Clues,"
    "Between the Lions," "Reading Rainbow," "Barney & Friends," "Zoom,"
    and "Zoboomafoo," are some shows that you may want to consider. Many
    other good children's programs are available on public television
    stations and on cable channels such as the Disney Channel and
    Nickelodeon.

-   Limit the time that you let your child watch TV. Too much television
    cuts into important activities in a child's life, such as reading,
    playing with friends, and talking with family members.

-   Watch TV with your child when you can. Talk with him about what you
    see. Answer his questions. Try to point out the things in TV
    programs that are like your child's everyday life.

-   When you can't watch TV with your child, spot check to see what he
    is watching. Ask questions after the show ends. See what excites him
    and what troubles him. Find out what he has learned and remembered.

-   Go to the library and find books that explore the themes of the TV
    shows that your child watches. Or help your child to use his
    drawings or pictures cut from magazines to make a book based on a TV
    show.

## If You Think There's a Problem {#if-you-think-theres-a-problem .unnumbered}

Your child may resist being read to or joining with you in the
activities in this booklet. If so, keep trying the activities, but keep
them playful. Remember that children vary a great deal in the ways that
they learn. Don't be concerned if your child doesn't enjoy a certain
activity that her friend of the same age loves. It is important, though,
to keep an eye on how your child is progressing. (See the box, "Watching
Your Child Progress.")

When a child is having a language or reading problem, the reason might
be simple to understand and deal with or it might be complicated and
require expert help. Often, children may just need more time to develop
their language skills. On the other hand, some children might have
trouble seeing, hearing, or speaking. Others may have a learning
disability. If you think your child may have some kind of physical or
learning problem, it is important to get expert help quickly.

If your child is in school and you think that she should have stronger
language skills, ask for a private meeting with her teacher. (You may
feel more comfortable taking a friend, relative, or someone else in your
community with you.) In most cases, the teacher or perhaps the principal
will be able to help you to understand how your child is doing and what
you might do to help her.

There is a law---the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)---that may allow you to get certain services for your child from
your school district. Your child might qualify to receive help from a
speech and language therapist or other specialist, or she might qualify
to receive materials designed to match her needs. You can learn about
your special education rights and responsibilities by requesting that
the school give you--- in your first language---a summary of legal
rights. To find out about programs for children with disabilities that
are available in your state, contact the National Information Center for
Children and Youth with Disabilities. (See **Resources for Parents and
Caregivers,** page 42, for the address and phone number and for other
resources.)

The good news is that no matter how long it takes, most children *can*
learn to read. Parents, teachers, and other professionals can work
together to determine if a child has a learning disability or other
problem, and then provide the right help as soon as possible. When a
child gets such help, chances are very good that she will develop the
skills she needs to succeed in school and in life. *Nothing is more
important than your support for your child as she goes through school.
Make sure she gets any extra help she needs as soon as possible, and
always encourage her and praise her efforts.*

**Watching Your Child Progress**

As a parent, you can learn a lot about your child's learning and watch
for signs of possible problems. Here are some things to look for and to
discuss with his teacher:

-   **Starting at age 3 or 4:** Does your child remember nursery rhymes,
    and can he play rhyming games?

-   **At about age 4:** Can your child get information or directions
    from conversations or books that are read aloud to him?

-   **Kindergartners:** Is your child beginning to name and write the
    letters and numbers that he sees in books, on billboards and signs,
    and in other places?

-   **At age 5:** Can your child play and enjoy simple word games in
    which two or more words start with the same sound? For example:
    "Name all the animals you can think of that start with *d*."

-   **At ages 5 and 6:** Does your child show that he understands that
    spoken words can be broken down into smaller parts (for example, by
    noticing the word *big* in *bigger*)? Does he seem to understand
    that you can change a small part of a word and make a different word
    (for example, by changing the first sound and letter of *cat*, you
    can make *hat, sat, mat, bat, rat,* and so on)?

    (Adapted from *Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's
    Reading Success.* National Academy Press, Washington, DC: 1999. For
    the complete reference, see the **Bibliography**.)

## A Reading Checklist {#a-reading-checklist .unnumbered}

There are many ways that you can encourage your child to become a
reader. Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to make sure
that you are keeping on track:

### For Babies (6 weeks to 1 year) {#for-babies-6-weeks-to-1-year .unnumbered}

-   Do I provide a comfortable place for our story time? Is my child
    happy to be in this place?

-   Am I showing my child the pictures in the book? Am I changing the
    tone of my voice as I read to show emotion and excitement?

-   Am I paying attention to how my child responds? What does she
    especially like? Is she tired and ready to stop?

### For Toddlers (1 to 3 years) {#for-toddlers-1-to-3-years .unnumbered}

All of the questions above, plus:

-   Does my child enjoy the book we are reading?

-   Do I encourage my child to "pretend read," joining in where he has
    memorized a word or phrase?

-   When I ask questions, am I giving my child enough time to think and
    answer?

-   Do I tie ideas in the book to things that are familiar to my child?
    Do I notice if he does this on his own?

-   Do I let my child know how much I like his ideas and encourage him
    to tell me more?

-   Do I point out letters, such as the first letter of his name?

### For Preschoolers (3 and 4 years)  {#for-preschoolers-3-and-4-years .unnumbered}

All of the questions above, plus:

-   Do I find ways to help my child begin to identify sounds and letters
    and to make letter-sound matches?

### For Kindergartners (5 years): {#for-kindergartners-5-years .unnumbered}

All of the questions above, plus:

-   Do I find ways to help my child begin to identify some printed
    words?

-   Do I let my child retell favorite stories to show that she knows how
    the story develops and what's in it?

### For Beginning First-Graders (6 years):  {#for-beginning-first-graders-6-years .unnumbered}

All of the questions above, plus:

-   Do I give my child the chance to read a story to me using the print,
    picture clues, his memory---or any combination of these ways that
    help him make sense of the story?

    **Remember:** Children learn step by step in a process that takes
    time and patience. They vary a great deal in what holds their
    interest and in the rate at which they make progress.

## Typical Language Accomplishments {#typical-language-accomplishments .unnumbered}

## for Children, Birth to Age 6 {#for-children-birth-to-age-6 .unnumbered}

Learning to read is built on a foundation of language skills that
children start to learn at birth---a process that is both complicated
and amazing. Most children develop certain skills as they move through
the early stages of learning language. By age 7, most children are
reading.

The following list of accomplishments is based on current scientific
research in the fields of reading, early childhood education, and child
development.[^2] Studies continue in their fields, and there is still
much still to learn. As you look over the accomplishments, keep in mind
that children vary a great deal in how they develop and learn. If you
have questions or concerns about your child's progress, talk with the
child's doctor, teacher, or a speech and language therapist. For
children with any kind of disability or learning problem, the sooner
they can get the special help they need, the easier it will be for them
to learn.

From birth to age 3, most babies and toddlers become able to:

-   Make sounds that imitate the tones and rhythms that adults use when
    talking.

-   Respond to gestures and facial expressions.

-   Begin to associate words they hear frequently with what the words
    mean.

-   Make cooing, babbling sounds in the crib, which gives way to
    enjoying rhyming and nonsense word games with a parent or caregiver.

-   Play along in games such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake."

-   Handle objects such as board books and alphabet blocks in their
    play.

-   Recognize certain books by their covers.

-   Pretend to read books.

-   Understand how books should be handled.

-   Share books with an adult as a routine part of life.

-   Name some objects in a book.

-   Talk about characters in books.

-   Look at pictures in books and realize they are symbols of real
    things.

-   Listen to stories.

-   Ask or demand that adults read or write with them.

-   Begin to pay attention to specific print such as the first letters
    of their names.

-   Scribble with a purpose (trying to write or draw something).

-   Produce some letter-like forms and scribbles that resemble, in some
    way, writing.

    From ages 3--4, most preschoolers become able to:

-   Enjoy listening to and talking about storybooks.

-   Understand that print carries a message.

-   Make attempts to read and write.

-   Identify familiar signs and labels.

-   Participate in rhyming games.

-   Identify some letters and make some letter-sound matches.

-   Use known letters (or their best attempt to write the letters) to
    represent written language especially for meaningful words like
    their names or phrases such as "I love you."

    At age 5, most kindergartners become able to:

-   Sound as if they are reading when they pretend to read.

-   Enjoy being read to.

-   Retell simple stories.

-   Use descriptive language to explain or to ask questions.

-   Recognize letters and letter-sound matches.

-   Show familiarity with rhyming and beginning sounds.

-   Understand that print is read left-to-right and top-to-bottom.

-   Begin to match spoken words with written ones.

-   Begin to write letters of the alphabet and some words they use and
    hear often.

-   Begin to write stories with some readable parts.

    At age 6, most first-graders can:

-   Read and retell familiar stories.

-   Use a variety of ways to help with reading a story such as
    rereading, predicting what will happen, asking questions, or using
    visual cues or pictures.

-   Decide on their own to use reading and writing for different
    purposes;

-   Read some things aloud with ease.

-   Identify new words by using letter-sound matches, parts of words and
    their understanding of the rest of a story or printed item.

-   Identify an increasing number of words by sight.

-   Sound out and represent major sounds in a word when trying to spell.

-   Write about topics that mean a lot to them.

-   Try to use some punctuation marks and capitalization.

## Resources for Families and Caregivers {#resources-for-families-and-caregivers .unnumbered}

### Federal Offices or Federally Funded Clearinghouses That Provide Information on Literacy and Learning {#federal-offices-or-federally-funded-clearinghouses-that-provide-information-on-literacy-and-learning .unnumbered}

##### U.S. Department of Education (ED) {#u.s.-department-of-education-ed .unnumbered}

**ACCESS ERIC**

Toll Free: 1--800--LET--ERIC

http://www.eric.ed.gov/resources/parent/parent.html

*Provides referrals to all ERIC clearinghouses. ERIC---the Educational
Resources Information Center---is a national education information
system supported by ED. ACCESS ERIC is the source for ERIC Parent
Brochures series, including "How Can I Encourage My Young Child To
Read?" Two ERIC Clearinghouses that deal specially with early childhood
and literacy and language development are:*

-   **ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education and
    the National Parent Information Network (NPIN)** at the University
    of Illinois at Urbana--Champaign (http://npin.org); and

-   **ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication** at
    Indiana University at Bloomington
    (http://www.indiana.edu/\~eric_rec).

    **Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA)**

    University of Michigan School of Education

    610 East University Avenue, Room 1600 SEB

    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109--1259

    Phone: 734--647--6940

    http://www.ciera.org

    *CIERA is the national research and development center on early
    childhood reading. It is funded by ED. CIERA's mission is to improve
    the reading achievement of America's children by developing and
    offering solutions to persistent problems in the learning and
    teaching of beginning reading.*

    **Even Start Family Literacy Program**

    U.S. Department of Education

    Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

    400 Independence Avenue SW

    Washington, DC 20202

    Toll Free: 1--800--USA--LEARN

    http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE /CEP

    *Even Start provides support for family-centered education projects
    to help parents learn the literacy and parenting skills they need to
    help their young children reach their full potential as learners. It
    makes grants to local education agencies, community-based
    organizations, and other nonprofit organizations. To find out about
    programs in your state, contact your state department of education
    or your local school district office.*

    **National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)**

    800 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200

    Washington, DC 20006

    Toll Free: 1--800--228--8813

    http://www.nifl.gov

    *Jointly administered by the Secretaries of Education, Labor, and
    Health and Human Services, NIFL is an independent federal institute.
    The NIFL Hotline is available 24 hours a day to provide free
    referrals for potential students and volunteers to outstanding
    programs in their area. Also provides free copies of current
    publications on literacy.*

    **National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education**

    U.S. Department of Education

    Office of Educational Research and Improvement

    555 New Jersey Avenue NW

    Washington, DC 20208

    Phone: 202--219--1935

    http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI/

    *Sponsors research that focuses on early childhood development and
    education, especially school readiness, child/adult relationships,
    and children's resilience.*

    **No Child Left Behind Parents Tool Box**

    U.S. Department of Education

    400 Maryland Avenue SW

    Washington, DC 20202

    Toll Free: 1--888--814--NCLB

    http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/parents/index.html

    *Provides information of particular interest to parents about the No
    Child Left Behind legislation.*

##### U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) {#u.s.-department-of-health-and-human-services-hhs .unnumbered}

**Early Head Start/Head Start Program**

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Children, Youth, and Families

Washington, DC 20202--0001

Phone: 202--205--8572 (or check directory for your regional HHS office)

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/

*Head Start programs nationwide provide comprehensive services for 3- to
5-year-old children of low-income families. Grants are made to public
school systems and nonprofit organizations to fund services covering
education, health care, family involvement, and social services. Early
Head Start programs---modeled after Head Start---provide services to
low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. To
find out about programs in your state, contact your state department of
education or your local school district.*

**National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Clearinghouse**

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

P.O. Box 3006

Rockville, MD 20847

Toll Free: 1--800--370--2943

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm

*Provides information about government-sponsored research on human
development over the entire life span. Includes topics such as prenatal
care, learning disabilities, AIDS, and mental retardation.*

### Private Organizations That Deal with Literacy and Reading {#private-organizations-that-deal-with-literacy-and-reading .unnumbered}

For information about adult and family literacy programs in your
community, be sure to check at your local library. Other resources on
literacy and reading include:

**American Library Association (ALA)**

**Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)**

50 East Huron Street

Chicago, IL 60611

Toll Free: 1--800--545--2433, ext. 2163

http://www.ala.org/alsc/

*ALA/ALSC sponsors "Born To Read," a program that builds partnerships
between librarians and health care professionals to reach out to new and
expectant "at-risk" parents to help them raise children who are* "*born
to read." Publications and online resources include materials for
parents, caregivers, and children.*

**International Reading Association (IRA)**

800 Barksdale Road

P.O. Box 8139

Newark, DE 19714--8139

Phone: 302--731--1600

http://www.reading.org/

*IRA is an organization of teachers, librarians, researchers, parents,
and others dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all. Its
Online Bookstore offers books, videos, and software for parents and
caregivers.*

**Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA)**

635 James Street

Syracuse, NY 13202--2214

Phone: 315--472--0001

http://literacyvolunteers.org

*LVA sponsors more than 350 community programs nationwide that offer
free literacy help to adults and their families.*

**National Center for Family Literacy**

Waterfront Plaza, Suite 200

325 West Main Street

Louisville, KY 40202--4251

Toll Free (Parade Family Literacy InfoLine): 1--877--326--5481

http://www.famlit.org

*Parade Family Literacy InfoLine provides referrals for family literacy
programs at the local level. Accessible 24 hours a day; operators are
available 9 a.m.--4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday--Friday.*

**Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF)**

P.O. Box 23444

Washington, DC 20026

Toll Free: 1--877--RIF--READ

http://www.rif.org/

*Develops and delivers children and family literacy programs that help
prepare young children for reading and motivate school-age children to
read. Trains literacy providers, parents, and others to prepare all
children to become lifelong readers.*

### Resources If Your Child Has a Reading Problem or Learning Disability {#resources-if-your-child-has-a-reading-problem-or-learning-disability .unnumbered}

##### Federal or Federally Funded Clearinghouses {#federal-or-federally-funded-clearinghouses .unnumbered}

**ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education**

1920 Association Drive

Reston, VA 22091

Toll Free: 1--800--328--0272

http://www.ericec.org/

*This clearinghouse provides research-based information on a variety of
topics, including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder
(ADD), and behavior disorders.*

**National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Clearinghouse**

Toll Free: 1--800--370--2943

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm

*See a complete description under "Federal Offices or Federally Funded
Clearinghouses That Provide Information on Literacy and Learning."*

**National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities**

P.O. Box 1492

Washington, DC 20013--1492

Toll Free: 1--800--695--0285 (voice & TTY)

http://www.nichcy.org

*This clearinghouse provides referrals and information on disabilities
and related issues for families, educators, and others, with a focus on
children and youth (birth to age 22). Funded by the Office of Special
Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services, U.S. Department of Education---the federal office that
administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).*

##### Other Awareness and Advocacy Organizations {#other-awareness-and-advocacy-organizations .unnumbered}

**Learning Disabilities Association of America**

4156 Library Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Toll Free: 1--888--300--6710

http://www.ldanatl.org

*This is a nonprofit volunteer organization advocating for individuals
with learning disabilities. The association has more than 60,000 members
and 600 state and local affiliates nationwide.*

**National Center for Learning Disabilities**

381 Park Avenue South, Suite 1401

New York, NY 10016

Toll Free: 1--888--575--7373

http://www.ld.org

*This is a national nonprofit organization that is committed to
improving the lives of those affected by learning disabilities. Provides
materials designed to increase public awareness and understanding.*

**Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities**

c/o Communications Consortium Media Center

1200 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20005--1754

Phone: 202--326--8700

http://www.ldonline.org/ccldinfo/

*This is a collaboration of leading national learning disability
organizations dedicated to improving awareness and understanding about
the nature of learning disabilities.*

##### Federal Source of Materials for the Blind and Physically Handicapped {#federal-source-of-materials-for-the-blind-and-physically-handicapped .unnumbered}

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Library of Congress

Washington, DC 20542

Phone: 202--707--5100

http://www.loc.gov/nls/

*This is a free national library program of Braille and recorded
materials for blind and physically handicapped children and adults.*

##### Books for Parents  {#books-for-parents .unnumbered}

The following books are just a few of the many excellent books on
reading with children. Check with your librarian for titles of more
books and for children's book lists.

Beaty, Janice J. *Building Bridges with Multicultural Picture Books: For
Children 3--5.* Prentice--Hall, 1996. Contains a listing of selected
multicultural picture books for young children. Includes activities to
do with children that are based on the books listed.

Butler, Dorothy. *Babies Need Books: Sharing the Joy of Books with
Children from Birth to Six.* Heinemann, 1998. Discusses the importance
of reading to young children and gives summaries of books by age level.

Hall, Susan L., and Moats, Louisa C. *Straight Talk about Reading: How
Parents Can Make a Difference During the Early Years.* NTC Publishing
Group. 1998. Provides practical advice, games and activities, and lists
of children's books and resources that parents can use to help their
children read.

Muse, Daphne (Ed.). *The New Press Guide to Multicultural Resources for
Young Readers.* The New Press, 1997. Includes reviews of hundreds of
children's books from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Trelease, Jim. *The Read-Aloud Handbook.* Penguin, 2001. Discusses the
importance of reading aloud to children. Includes a "Treasury of
Read-Alouds"---hundreds of recommended books annotated by age and grade
level.

##### Some Other Informative Web Sites for Parents and Caregivers {#some-other-informative-web-sites-for-parents-and-caregivers .unnumbered}

Children's Software Revue:

http://www.childrenssoftware.com/

Family Education Network:

http://www.familyeducation.com

Kidsource:

http://www.kidsource.com

Parent Soup:

http://www.parentsoup.com

## Resources for Children {#resources-for-children .unnumbered}

Here's a sampling of books, computer programs, and Web sites that you
and your child can enjoy together. Check with your local librarian for
more suggestions.

##### Babies {#babies .unnumbered}

Brown, Margaret Wise. *Goodnight Moon.* Harper Collins, 1997. A little
rabbit says goodnight to all the things in his room and, finally, to the
Moon.

Johnson, Angela. *Mama Bird, Baby Birds.* Orchard, 1994. Joshua and his
sister, two young African--American children, watch a mother bird
feeding its babies.

Wells, Rosemary. *Max's Bedtime.* Dial, 1998. Even though Max's sister
offers him her stuffed animals, he cannot sleep without his red rubber
elephant.

##### Play Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers {#play-books-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers .unnumbered}

Carle, Eric. *The Very Busy Spider.* Philomel, 1984. Farm animals try to
keep a spider from spinning her web, but she doesn't give up and she
makes a beautiful and useful creation. Pictures may be felt as well as
seen, making this a great book for visually impaired children.

Hill, Eric. *Where's Spot?* Putnam, 1980. In an interactive
lift-the-flap book, children help Spot's mother, Sally, search the house
to find him. This book has been translated into a number of languages,
including a sign language version.

Kunhardt, Dorothy. *Pat the Bunny.* Golden Books, 1990. In this
touch-and-feel book, Paul and Judy smell the flowers, feel Daddy's
scratchy face, look in the mirror, play peek-a-boo, and, of course, pat
the bunny.

Lacome, Julie. *Seashore.* Candlewick, 1995. Small fingers can poke
through the holes in the pages of this board book about the beach, and
seem to change into fins, wings, or crawling legs.

##### Alphabet Books for Preschoolers--First-Graders {#alphabet-books-for-preschoolersfirst-graders .unnumbered}

Kitamura, Satoshi. *From Acorn to Zoo and Everything in Between in
Alphabetical Order.* Sunburst, 1995. Each page shows an assortment of
things that begin with the same letter---all clearly labeled. For each
page there is a question (and a clue) that can be answered only by
looking carefully at the picture.

MacDonald, Suse. *Alphabatics.* Bradbury Press, 1986. The letters of the
alphabet are transformed and placed in 26 illustrations so that the hole
in *b* becomes a balloon and *y* turns into the head of a yak (an ox
with long hair).

Rankin, Laura. *The Handmade Alphabet.* Puffin, 1996. This book presents
the handshape for each letter of the manual alphabet (American Sign
Language) accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter.

Shannon, George. *Tomorrow's Alphabet.* Mulberry Books, 1999. *A* is for
seed---what\'s going on here? The seed is *tomorrow's* Apple! An
imaginative alphabet puzzle that encourages children to think and make
predictions.

Shelby, Anne. *Potluck.* Orchard, 1991. A multicultural collection of
friends having names starting with A--Z bring a variety of dishes to a
potluck.

##### Wordless Picture Books for Preschoolers--First-Graders {#wordless-picture-books-for-preschoolersfirst-graders .unnumbered}

Carle, Eric. *Do You Want to Be My Friend?* HarperCollins, 1995. A
little mouse asks all kinds of animals, "Do you want to be my friend?"

dePaola, Tomie. *Pancakes for Breakfast.* Voyager Books, 1990. A little
old lady's attempts to have pancakes for breakfast are hindered by a
lack of ingredients and the help of her pets.

Mayer, Mercer. *A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog.* Econo-Clad Books, 1999. A boy
and a dog try unsuccessfully to catch a frog.

McCully, Emily. *School.* HarperTrophy, 1990. The eight oldest mice in a
family prepare for the first day of school. After everyone leaves, and
the house is too quiet, the youngest mouse decides to go discover what
school is all about.

Wiesner, David. *Tuesday.* Clarion, 1991. One night a town is invaded by
extraterrestrial frogs flying in on their lily pads.

##### Rhyming Books for Toddlers--Kindergartners {#rhyming-books-for-toddlerskindergartners .unnumbered}

Christelow, Eileen. *Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.* Clarion,
1989. This counting rhyme shows five little monkeys getting ready for
bed and getting sidetracked by some serious bed-jumping.

Cole, Joanna, and Calmenson, Stephanie. *Eentsy, Weensty Spider:
Fingerplays and Action Rhymes*. Morrow, 1991. This book, illustrated
using children of diverse cultural backgrounds, includes fingerplays and
action rhymes that have been chanted, sung, and loved by generations.

Dyer, Jane. *Animal Crackers: A Delectable Collection of Pictures, Poems
and Lullabies for the Very Young.* Little, Brown, 1996. This picture
book contains a collection of Mother Goose classics, modern poems,
lullabies, and simple stories, many of which celebrate special times in
a child's first years.

Martin, Bill, Jr., and Archambault, John. *Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.*
Simon & Schuster, 1989. The rhythmical story of letters of the alphabet
climbing and falling from a coconut tree.

##### "Predictable" Books for Toddlers--First-Graders {#predictable-books-for-toddlersfirst-graders .unnumbered}

Aardema, Verna. *Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain.* Dutton, 1993. Told
in verse, this is the story of how Ki-pat, a herder, makes it rain on
the dry Kapiti Plain.

Hutchins, Pat. *Rosie's Walk.* Macmillan, 1968. Rosie the hen goes for a
walk and manages to avoid many attempts on her life by a predatory fox.
Also available in Spanish.

Lowell, Susan. *The Three Little Javelinas.* Northland Pub., 1993. This
southwestern tale, based on "The Three Little Pigs" and illustrated with
Native American and Latino characters, is about three little javelinas
as they try to outsmart the coyote who had hoped to eat them with red
chili sauce.

Martin, Bill, Jr. *Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?* Holt, 1996.
What children see is a surprising cast of animals!

McNaughton, Colin. *Suddenly!* Harcourt Brace, 1995. Time after time,
Preston the Pig outwits a hungry wolf that is trying to catch and eat
him.

##### Multiple-Language Books for Preschoolers--First-Graders {#multiple-language-books-for-preschoolersfirst-graders .unnumbered}

Brown, Ruth. *Alphabet Times Four: An International ABC.* Dutton, 1991.
Beginning with the letter *A* and ending with *Z*, this book offers a
word that happens to begin with the same letter in four languages,
English, Spanish, French, and German, accompanied by creatively bordered
pictures.

Garza, Carmen Lomas. *Family Pictures.* Children's Book Press, 1990. In
this bilingual text (Spanish and English), a young girl remembers her
day-to-day family life while growing up in Texas in a Mexican--American
culture.

Hirschi, Ron. *Seya's Song.* Sasquatch Books, 1992. A young S'Klallam
girl follows the seasons of the salmon, interweaving aspects of the life
and culture of her Pacific Coast tribe and using words from her native
language.

Lee, Huy Voun. *In the Park.* Henry Holt & Co, Inc., 1998. Xiao Ming and
his mother go to the park, where they see a variety of people of
different cultures, ages, and disabilities. At the park, his mother
teaches him how to draw and pronounce some Chinese characters.

Rattigan, Jama Kim. *Dumpling Soup.* Little, Brown, 1993. Marisa, a
7-year-old girl who lives in Hawaii, explains the traditions her family
celebrates at the New Year. Hawaiian, Japanese, and Korean words and
phrases add to the English text.

Stock, Catherine. *Where Are You Going Manyoni?* Morrow, 1993. Manyoni
lives in Zimbabwe and on her way to school she passes many beautiful
areas, wild animals, and birds. The book includes a picture glossary of
wildlife and a key to pronouncing African words.

##### Beginning Readers {#beginning-readers .unnumbered}

Eastman, P. D. *Go, Dog. Go!* Random House, 1989. Big dogs, little
dogs---black, white, yellow, and blue dogs---they are all very busy
going places and doing things.

Krauss, Ruth. *The Carrot Seed.* Harper Collins, 1973. A little boy
knows a carrot will grow from the seed that he planted no matter what
anyone else may say or think.

##### Early Read-Aloud Chapter Books for Preschoolers--First-Graders {#early-read-aloud-chapter-books-for-preschoolersfirst-graders .unnumbered}

Cameron, Ann. *The Stories Julian Tells.* Knopf, 1981. Julian tells
great stories, He can make people, especially his younger brother Huey,
believe almost anything, which sometimes leads to lots of trouble.

Milne, A. A. *The House at Pooh Corner.* Dutton, 1991. The book is about
the timeless adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Christopher Robin, Owl, Tigger,
and Eeyore in the Hundred-Acre Woods.

##### Children's Magazines {#childrens-magazines .unnumbered}

#####  {#section-1 .unnumbered}

*Babybug*

P.O. Box 9304

LaSalle, IL 61301--9897

(http://www.babybugmag.com)

Board-book magazine with illustrated rhymes and stories for parents to
read with children. (Ages 6 months--2 years)

*Click!*

P.O. Box 9304

LaSalle, IL 61301--9897

(http://www.clickmag.com)

Contains science and social studies stories, both informational and
fiction. (Ages 5--6)

*Sesame Street Magazine*

Children's Television Workshop

One Lincoln Plaza

New York, NY 10023

(http://www.ctw.org/sesame/

or http://www2.cdsfulfillment.com/SST/subscriptions.cgi)

Sesame Street characters are featured in stories, poems, puzzles,
posters and more. (Ages 2--6 years)

*Your Big Back Yard*

National Wildlife Federation

8925 Leesburg Pike

Vienna, VA 22184

(http://www.nwf.org/ybby/)

Includes stories, poems, riddles, and games, with color pictures of
animals. Simple text designed to encourage early reading. (Ages 3--6
years)

##### Computer Programs {#computer-programs .unnumbered}

***Living Books: Interactive Animated Stories***

(Ages 3--7)

These programs provide a place for children to hear a story, read along
with the narrator, or read by themselves. They also can interact with
characters and objects and play games that teach the alphabet, simple
words, rhyming, and other reading skills. Each program also comes with
the matching book. Some examples of titles:

-   *Just Grandma and Me*

-   *The Cat and the Hat*

-   *Arthur's Birthday*

-   *Dr. Seuss's ABC*

    Many include versions in Spanish, French, and German along with the
    English text.

    For more information, contact:

    **Broderbund Software, Inc.**

    Toll Free: 1--800--567--2610

    http://www.broderbund.com/

    ***Bailey's Book House***

    (Ages 2--5)

    This software features Bailey and his friends as they encourage
    young children to build literacy skills and develop a love for
    reading. It includes activities to help youngsters explore letters,
    words, sentences, rhyming, and stories. No reading skills are
    required; all directions are spoken.

    ***Let's Go Read! An Island Adventure***

    (Ages 4--7)

    Children join Robby Raccoon and his friends in their adventures on
    an island inhabited by the alphabet. Included are activities to help
    children learn reading basics such as letter sounds and how to sound
    out and build simple words. Children can command the computer with
    their voices and record and listen to themselves reading.

    For more information, including Spanish titles and a catalog for
    children with special needs, contact:

    **Riverdeep**

    Toll Free: 1--800--362--2890

    http://www.riverdeep.net/edmark/

##### Young Children and the Internet: Places to Learn and Play {#young-children-and-the-internet-places-to-learn-and-play .unnumbered}

Arthur: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/arthur/

Barney: http://www.barneyonline.com

Disney: http://disney.go.com/park/bases/familybase/today/

Dr. Seuss's Seussville:
http://www.randomhouse.com/seussville/university/

PBS Homepage: http://www.pbs.org/kids/

Children's Television Workshop: http://www.ctw.org

Smithsonian Institution--National Zoo: http://www.si.edu/natzoo/

## Bibliography  {#bibliography-1 .unnumbered}

Adams, Marilyn J., Foorman, Barbara R., Lundberg, Ingvar, & Beeler,
Terri. (1997). *Phonemic Awareness in Young Children: A Classroom
Curriculum*. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Armbruster, Bonnie B., Lehr, Fran, and Osborn, Jean. (2001). *Put
Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to
Read. Kindergarten Through Grade 3.* Washington, DC: National Institute
for Literacy (available online at www.nifl.gov)

Burns, M. Susan, Griffin, Peg, and Snow, Catherine E. (Eds.) (1999).
*Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children's Reading Success.*
Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Clay, Marie M. (1979). *The Early Detection of Reading Difficulties*
(3^rd^ Ed.). Auckland, New Zealand: Heinemann.

Dickinson, David K., and Tabors, Patton O. (2001). *Beginning Literacy
with Language: Young Children Learning at Home and School.* Baltimore,
MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Hart, Betty, and Risley, Todd R. (1995). *Meaningful Differences in the
Everyday Experience of Young American Children.* Baltimore, MD: Paul H.
Brookes Publishing Co.

Hannon, Peter. (1995). *Literacy, Home, and School: Research and
Practice in Teaching Literacy with Parents.* London, England: Falmer
Press.

Hiebert, Elfrieda H., and Raphael, Taffy E. (1998). *Early Literacy
Instruction.* Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

International Reading Association (IRA) and National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (1998). *Learning to Read and
Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children---A
Joint Position Statement of the IRA and NAEYC.* Washington, DC.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
(1996). *Technology and Young Children Ages 3 Through 8---An NAEYC
Position Statement.* Washington, DC.

National Reading Panel. (2000). *Teaching Children to Read: An
Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on
Reading and Its Implications for Reading Instruction.* Washington, DC:
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Neuman, Susan B., Copple, Carol, and Bredekamp, Sue. (2000). *Learning
to Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young
Children.* Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of
Young Children.

Snow, Catherine E., Burns, M. Susan, and Griffin, Peg (Eds.). (1998).
*Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children.* Washington, DC:
National Academy Press.

##   {#section-2 .unnumbered}

## Acknowledgments {#acknowledgments .unnumbered}

##  {#section-3 .unnumbered}

This publication was originally written by Andrea DeBruin-Parecki,
Kathryn Perkinson and Lance Ferderer, with updates for the current
edition completed by Fran Lehr and Jean Osborn. Illustrations were done
by Adjoa Burrowes and Joe Matos.

## This booklet has been made possible with the help of many people and organizations who reviewed drafts, provided materials and suggestions, and generously contributed from their own experience. In addition, a special thanks to Todd May and Menahem Herman in the Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs and ZGS Communications for their help in managing the development, production and distribution of this booklet.  {#this-booklet-has-been-made-possible-with-the-help-of-many-people-and-organizations-who-reviewed-drafts-provided-materials-and-suggestions-and-generously-contributed-from-their-own-experience.-in-addition-a-special-thanks-to-todd-may-and-menahem-herman-in-the-office-of-intergovernmental-and-interagency-affairs-and-zgs-communications-for-their-help-in-managing-the-development-production-and-distribution-of-this-booklet. .unnumbered}

## Simple Strategies for Creating Strong Readers {#simple-strategies-for-creating-strong-readers .unnumbered}

Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy.
Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant
difference in helping children develop into good readers and writers.

Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive
attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on
your child's literacy and learning.

-   Invite your child to read with you every day.

-   When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as
    you read. This will help your child learn that reading goes from
    left to right and understand that the word said is the word seen.

-   Read your child's favorite book over and over.

-   Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite your
    child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as your child
    reads along with you.

-   Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace.
    Who do you think lives in a palace?"

-   Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the
    story.

-   Read from a variety of children\'s books, including fairy tales,
    song books, poems, and information books.

    Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can't
    read well, can't learn. Help make a difference for your child.

    From *Reading Tips for Parents*, U.S. Department of Education.
    Available online at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/pfie/reading or
    call 1--800--USA--LEARN.

    **\<inside back cover\>**

    No Child Left Behind

    On January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the No
    Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This new law represents his
    education reform plan and contains the most sweeping changes to the
    Elementary and Secondary Education Act since it was enacted in 1965.
    It changes the federal role in education by asking America's schools
    to describe their success in terms of what each student
    accomplishes. The act contains the president's four basic education
    reform principles:

-   Stronger accountability for results.

-   Local control and flexibility.

-   Expanded options for parents.

-   An emphasis on effective and proven teaching methods.

In sum, this law---in partnership with parents, communities, school
leadership and classroom teachers---seeks to ensure that every child in
America receives a great education and that no child is left behind.

For more information on No Child Left Behind, visit the website at
http://www.nclb.gov or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

[^1]: ^\*^ **Please note:** In this book, we refer to a child as "him"
    in some places and "her" in others. We do this to make the book
    easier to read. Please understand, however, that every point that we
    make about reading is the same for girls and boys.

[^2]: ^\*^ Based on information from *Preventing Reading Difficulties in
    Young Children,* a report of the National Research Council, by the
    Committee on the Prevention of Reading Difficulties in Young
    Children, 1998; and from the *Joint Position Statement of the
    International Reading Association (IRA)* and the *National
    Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC),* 1998. For
    the complete references , see the **Bibliography.**