Gull Lake “Making Connections”

Building Blocks to Reading

 

The ability to learn how to read and write begins at birth. Children depend on their parents and other adults to teach them these things.

Below are the “blocks” of knowledge and skills that parents need to teach children before they begin kindergarten.

 

 

 

From 6 to 12 months, a baby should:

* reach for books

* look at pictures in books

* make happy sounds as I read

* pat the book

* sit in a lap and be read to everyday

* try to turn the pages of books

 

From 12 months to 18 months, a toddler should:

* sit and hold a book by himself

* bring adults books to read

* turn board book pages over and over

* point to and name pictures in books

* make animal sounds or say words

* know how to hold a book right side up

* enjoy books

* listen to stories even if not sitting down

 

From 18 months – 24 months, a toddler should:

* name pictures in books

* recite some words in her favorite book

* read to his stuffed toys or dolls

* enjoy books

* listen to stories even if not sitting down

* sing simple songs

 

From 24 months to 36 months, toddlers should:

* turn paper pages

* find favorite pictures in books

* tell parts of stories from memory

* knows that the book print is words

* “read” favorite books to himself

* draw circles and squiggles for words

From 36 months to 48 months, preschoolers should:

* listen to longer stories

* know some familiar words like “cat”

* know the sounds of a few letters

* try to write their names

* ask lots of questions as we read books

*recite songs, nursery rhymes or poems

From 48 months to 60 months, preschoolers should:

* listen to entire stories

* know letters and the sounds they make

* write their first names

* write some words like Mom or Dad

* recite songs, nursery rhymes and poems

* know words that rhyme like cat – bat