I love this question! I have been teaching PreK for over 20 years. I tell parents all the time that reading to their children is the most important "educational/academic" thing that they need to do at this time. For 3's and 4's, books with big pictures and short on words are the best! As you read, have the children look at the pictures and pick out the characters that you are reading about. Talk about the setting and have them predict what might come next. I love Jan Brett, Leo Lionni, Eric Carle, Mo Willems and most all Caldecott Medal books. I like books with no words too. One of my favorites is Tuesday by David Wiesner. Having a child sit on your lab and tell you the story they are seeing is precious. Reading books that rhyme not only are fun, but teaches them how language works.
After enjoying a book and reading it two or three times, act it out! The Mitten, by Jan Brett is a fun one to reenact. Being able to comprehend and retell a story is preparing them to be successful readers in the higher grades.
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Ann Giles
St. Luke''''''''''''''''s Episcopal Day School
Baton Rouge LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-06-2019 09:44 AM
From: Donna German
Subject: advice to parents about reading
What are the top 3 or 4 pieces of advice you would share with a parent/grandparent about reading with their preschool-aged children? Obviously, reading would be one. I'm looking for ideas and ways to encourage interaction... like pointing out and discussing things in the art or asking questions.
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Donna German
Editor
Arbordale Publishing, LLC
Mt Pleasant SC
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