Reading Skills

1)  Enjoyment of Books - developing an interest in books and words.

• Visit the library and bookstores.

• Read to your child.

• Let your child see you reading.

2)  Word Knowledge - knowing the names of things.

• Point out things, in both the environment and in books, and name them for your child.

• Read non-fiction books to your child.

• Label household items.

3)  Sound Combinations/ Sound Awareness - the ability to hear and use the smaller sounds in words.

• Ask your child if certain words rhyme.

• Read poetry with your child.

• Sing with your child.

4)  Print Awareness - learning that we read from left to right and top to bottom in the English language.

• Read environmental print- signs, flyers, etc.

• Point to words as you read them.

• Let the child hold the book and turn the pages.

5)  Verbal Skills - the child’s ability to understand and tell stories.

• Listen to your child when she/he talks.

• Let your child tell you a story.

• Ask open-ended questions (questions that require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response).

• Relate stories to your child’s own experiences.

6)  Letter Knowledge - that letters look different and have different names and sounds.

• Write your child’s name for him/her.

• Have magnetic letters available for play.

• Read alphabet books and point out the letters.

Birth to 6 Early Literacy Skills 

American Library Association Every Child Ready to Read