Tell Stories About Everything
Children need to understand that stories have a beginning, middle and ending before formal reading instruction begins.
Understanding the sequence of events in a story will help children’s comprehension. The ability to describe things and events and to develop stories is referred to as narrative skills, and is critical in learning to read.
Use dialogic reading by asking open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” response.
Younger children benefit from hearing you talk about your activities, while older children can relate their activities to you.
What story is Turtle reading today?
Turtle draws a bunny and a turtle.
Activity Time!
- Look at the picture on this page and ask your child, “What book do you think a turtle might like to read?”
- Plan your day by talking about what you’ll do first, next and last.
- Use stringing beads or other toys where you create a sequence and encourage children to recreate the sequence.
- Sort items (buttons, blocks, etc.) by size, shape and color.
- Talk about activities in the order that they occurred.
- Ask your child to tell you about his or her day.
- Have your child draw a picture. Then let them tell you what is happening in the picture. Write their words on the picture.
- Practice numbers by counting things you see and do during the day.
- Encourage your child to reenact a story you’ve read, such as Caps for Sale, The Mitten or The Carrot Seed.
More 6 by 6 Skills
more skills
Look for Letters Everywhere
Learning shapes, and then later, letters, helps children learn that words are made up of letters that mean different sounds.
Notice Print All Around You
Pointing out words in books, on signs, and all around helps children know that all of those squiggly shapes have meaning.
Take Time to Rhyme
Hearing rhymes and wordplay helps children understand that words are made up of smaller parts — like endings that can sound like each other!
Talk, Talk, Talk
Use lots of language with young children, even when they don’t understand. The more words children hear the larger their vocabulary will be.
Tell Stories About Everything
Hearing lots of stories (and helping to tell them!) gives children an idea of how stories go — beginning, middle, end.
Have Fun with Books
Books can be fun at any age, and young children who enjoy books and see their adults enjoying books will be enthusiastic to learn to read.
6 by 6 - Tell Stories About Everything
These are books have lots of narrative action and opportunities to ask your little one: What do you think might happen next?
Picture Books for Teaching Cause and Effect
We all know what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. But what if you give a dragon a taco!?
Bedtime
"Bedtime...the perfect time for kids to ask questions, request food, a bathroom trip, a new nightlight..." How about another book?
My Favorite Books to Read with Babies
Reading with babies builds big brains and forms life-long bonds. Here's a list of my favorite books to read with babies.
