How Do We Get Preschoolers Ready to Read?

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Early childhood teachers face many challenges, with a significant focus on laying the groundwork for literacy. Research indicates that early educators greatly influence the development of reading skills, yet many feel they require more training in effective strategies for supporting emergent literacy (Weadman et al., 2023). Phonological awareness and print awareness are crucial for reading readiness.

Strategies on How To Get Preschoolers Ready to Read:

Find out where each student is starting: The start of the preschool year is hectic as many students enter a school environment for the first time, and educators work to create learning opportunities across various developmental areas. To maximize these opportunities, it’s crucial to assess each child’s existing knowledge and skills, particularly in phonological and print awareness. Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of understanding where children are academically to effectively guide them toward reading fluency. Identifying students who lack prior print exposure or letter recognition early on is essential for supporting their reading development.

Explore letter and word sounds as you move through the day: In rich, challenging early literacy environments, preschool students play with sounds as much as they do toys. Teachers can draw students’ attention to word and letter sounds during routine tasks, daily play, and structured learning. Activities that develop phonological awareness ask students to:

• name letters
• connect sounds to letter symbols
• identify words that rhyme
• notice when words begin with the same sound
• match words with similar ending sounds  

Guide students as they explore the print materials you’ve provided: Class read-alouds are a staple in most preschool classrooms. In addition to instilling a love for the experience of shared reading, reading aloud is also an opportunity to build print awareness—the knowledge of how books work.

Print awareness includes skills like: 

• understanding that printed words have meanings;
• identifying the parts of a book (cover, pages, etc.);
• starting in the top left corner of a text;
• following words from left to right; and
• knowing that words are made up of letters and sounds. 

Notice signs that a student may have dyslexia: Students typically learn to associate sounds with letter symbols through explicit instruction, but this process can be more challenging for those with dyslexia and other learning conditions. When progress stalls, it may be necessary to request a dyslexia evaluation, as early identification and intervention can lead to tailored support, improved reading outcomes, and reduced anxiety. Preschool teachers should also inform families about dyslexia, clarifying that it is not merely a visual issue; brain imaging has shown differences in areas related to phonological processing and executive functions in children with dyslexia.

Check in regularly to make sure your reading readiness plan is working: Many students benefit from explicit, systematic reading instruction, but some may require additional support. In such cases, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine if a health or language condition is affecting their phonological and print awareness. Throughout the school year, it’s important to assess student growth in these areas. Using a formal assessment that allows for progress monitoring can provide valuable insights into how much and how quickly students are learning, aiding in instructional planning. Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of growth scores as a measure of student progress.

In conclusion, Early literacy preparation significantly influences preschool students’ learning paths. To establish a strong reading foundation, teachers should assess phonological and print awareness, and focus on explicit, systematic instruction of letter-sound connections. Incorporating read-alouds and sensory cues can enhance students’ understanding of words and texts. As the year advances, teachers should measure growth, adapt instruction, and consider comprehensive evaluations for students needing extra support. While this list of strategies is not exhaustive, it serves as a solid starting point for fostering early literacy.

Read More: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/how-do-we-get-preschoolers-ready-to-read/

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