Although preschools emphasize teaching children how to read, many parents want their little ones to get a head start. Since you probably don’t remember learning how to read yourself, though, teaching your son or daughter can feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, the guide below offers tips for making the process stress-free and fun. 

How to Make Your Child a Reader

1. Sing Strategic Songs

The alphabet song, while a convenient place to start, isn't the only song that will help your child learn to read. Nursery rhymes, in general, allow little ones to differentiate between sounds and even track syllables. You can also get creative and make up your own songs by spelling out words that matter most to your children, like their name and favorite color. 

2. Focus on Individual Sounds 

Once your child develops a longer attention span, you can graduate from songs to flash cards. Write down a single letter on each card, and go over the different sounds they make. Do a few cards a day and practice only the most common sound for each letter to keep it simple. Then, move on to three-letter words. Your child’s preschool teacher can share a list of words that students tend to grasp easily. 

3. Read Together Every Day

Reading together every night will foster a love of books at an early age. This can set your children up for a lifetime of academic success. And as they get older, the tips mentioned above will help them recognize the words in these bedtime stories until they start reading to you. 

When your children are ready to attend preschool, the friendly team at World of Knowledge Child Development Center will further your teaching efforts. Located in Lincoln, NE, this center specializes in early childhood development. Through a carefully curated curriculum, they foster their students’ cognitive, personal, and social development. With programs for children ages nine months to five years, as well as after-school sessions for adolescents, they can meet the whole family’s needs. Connect with them on Facebook or visit their website to learn more about their services. To schedule a tour of their preschool facilities, call (402) 483-4769.