Early Literacy (3-4 yrs)
Research studies shows that preschoolers between the ages of 3 and 4, who actively engage with books, are more likely to become successful readers during later childhood.
Longitudinal and early-literacy studies consistently find shared book reading with preschool children is associated with:
While book engagement in the preschool years is a strong predictor of later reading success, it isn’t the only factor — teaching quality, home environment, and ongoing literacy support also play important roles in how well and how quickly children will learn to read. Consistent and positive engagement with books can help build the language, literacy, and reading habits that give preschoolers a head start in becoming proficient readers, however sometimes it can be challenging for parents to know how best to support their preschooler at home.
How often should I read to my child?
Parents wonder whether daily reading is necessary or if a few times a week is “enough,” especially on busy days.
What if my child won’t sit still for a whole book?
Many worry that short attention spans, fidgeting, or interrupting means children don't like reading.
Is it okay to read the same book over and over?
Parents often question whether repetition is helpful or if they should be introducing new books.
Is there a certain way I should be reading to my child?
Many adults want to know how to read books to their child to boost language skills.
What kind of books should I choose?
Parents commonly ask about age-appropriateness, fiction vs non-fiction, and how to match books to their child’s interests.
A personalised reading program in the preschool years can help set a strong school readiness foundation and build a positive association with reading that can set up a child up for success with later reading instruction. Questions about a child's language skills or concern about a lack of interest in books should be addressed prior to school entry to help ensure each child is ready to meet the challenge of learning to read at school.
Personalised programs for preschool children can include supporting areas such as:
Oral Language Skills
By the preschool years children's vocabularies have grown exponentially. They know around 2000 words, are speaking in full sentences and grammar begins to develop. These growing language skills establish a critical foundation for early reading and can be supported through play, games, diverse experiences and dialogic reading.
Letter Knowledge
Children at this age are very familiar with the alphabet. They can sing the alphabet song and can identify letters in their own name. Letter knowledge is strengthened during these years through pleasurable experiences with both upper and lowercase letters. Children begin to learn to form letters themselves through crafts, play, and semi-structured tabletop activities.
Phonological Awareness
Our brains are wired to process speech sounds in oral language, however, they aren’t wired to associate the speech sounds we hear with letters found in text. When children learn to read they must become consciously aware of how speech sounds are associated with letters so they can learn to decode words and become successful readers. Phonological awareness is the ability to manipulate the sounds in words and helps children begin to make these associations.
Language Comprehension
Language comprehension is the ability to understand spoken or written language — in other words, to make sense of what you hear or read.
By the preschool years comprehension for oral and written language relies heavily on vocabulary knowledge (understanding the meaning of words and phrases).
Providing children with diverse knowledge and drawing their attention to word meanings, offers them an opportunity to strengthen the understanding of words they already know and make sense of new information and words. This should be done through stories, play and conversation in engaging daily living activities.
Print Concepts
At this age children begin to develop a deeper understanding of print. They start to become aware that print has meaning and that text is read from left to right and top to bottom. They also begin to develop a deeper understanding of print as part of shared dialogue during reading with a supportive adult. In the preschool years print concepts can be further strengthened through early writing activities done in a fun an engaging way.
Print Motivation
Reading in the preschool years should always be a fun and pleasurable experience. Children should be encouraged to use their own preferences when choosing books. They should have regular and easy access to books throughout the day to ensure they foster a love of reading beyond the bedtime story routine. Parents can support this by learning simple ways to make reading pleasurable for their unique child and increase access to books in a way that works for their lifestyle.
Your Program. Your Way
The categories listed above provide a broad basis for skills children should be acquiring at this specific age to help support later reading success and will be used as a foundation for their personalised program. Individualisation will be based on each child's strengths and areas to grow, as well as tailored to their unique family setting.
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