| Kindergarten teachers can easily spot children who | | | | more complex language forms. For example, if she |
| have been read to. They are the ones who can hold | | | | says, "The dog is here," you can then say, "Yes, the |
| a book properly, turn the pages working front to | | | | dog is sitting and waiting for his bone." Finally, revise |
| back, and who are aware of the directional flow of | | | | your child's language when grammatical errors are |
| words. Summer reading offers a perfect opportunity | | | | made. These storybook-reading interactions go |
| for parents to facilitate many pre-literacy skills | | | | beyond simply reading words on a page and allow |
| needed for school. By following a few simple steps, | | | | your child to increase her vocabulary, expand her |
| parents can make summer reading a stepping stone | | | | knowledge of language, and employ critical thinking |
| for literacy success in kindergarten and beyond. | | | | skills. All are important foundations to early literacy |
| The first step is book selection. Children love to go | | | | success. |
| to the library, and this makes for a cool summer | | | | The last step for summer reading is optional, but |
| outing, literally. Escort your child to the "early readers" | | | | may prove to be invaluable to your child as he |
| and let him choose some books of interest. You | | | | approaches his kindergarten year. In addition to his |
| certainly want your child to be excited about what | | | | book choices, consider sprinkling in books that have a |
| he's reading! If you have any trouble finding books on | | | | theme of cooperation, fairness, sharing, respect, or |
| a particular topic, the children's librarian is typically | | | | compassion, to name a few. An assortment can be |
| happy to offer guidance. | | | | found by searching under "themed books for |
| The next step is to make reading time a fun, | | | | preschoolers" on the Internet. These books can |
| interactive experience while simultaneously | | | | provide you with a forum to discuss with your child |
| encouraging vocabulary growth, language growth, and | | | | attributes needed to develop positive relationships |
| comprehension. This can be accomplished by first | | | | with teachers and peers. Look at it as addressing a |
| asking your child to look at the illustrations on the | | | | new and critical R for school--Relationship building! |
| front and back of the book and then to describe | | | | Summer reading with your preschooler can be a |
| what she thinks it is about. Continue with a "picture | | | | great source of enjoyment that presents |
| walk through" wherein you and your child take turns | | | | opportunities for growth in literacy as well. With a |
| discussing what you see on each page and how the | | | | little planning, it can also contribute to preparing your |
| characters may be feeling. As you read, talk about | | | | child socially for the demands of school. As the days |
| any words she may not be familiar with. Before | | | | grow longer, take time to pour over a few books |
| turning from one page to the next, sometimes ask | | | | with your child, and in the process get her on an |
| her what she thinks may happen next. During all the | | | | early tract toward success in kindergarten. |
| above interactions, expand on what she says, using | | | | |