CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS OF TODDLERS Here are some ways you can help your child “get ready to read” during the ages of 2 and 3. 1. I read with my child every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes. 2. I encourage my child to bring his favorite books to me so that we can read together. 3. I point to pictures and name them out loud, and encourage my child to point to pictures while we read. 4. I watch to see if my child sometimes makes eye contact with me when I read aloud. That tells me she is paying attention to me and the story. 5. I talk with my child throughout the day about things we are doing and things that are happening around us. 6. I try to be patient when my child wants to read the same book over and over again. 7. I encourage my child to “play” with books—pick them up, flip them from front to back, and turn the pages. 8. Sometimes I listen when my child “pretends” to read a book—he holds the book, goes from page to page, and says words, even though they’re not the words on the page. 9. I give my child paper and crayons so she can scribble, make pictures, and pretend to write. CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS Here are some ways you can help your child “get ready to read” during the ages of 4 and 5. 1. I help my child hear and say the first sound in words (like “b” in boat), and notice when different words start with the same sound (like “boat” and “book”). 2. I help my child hear words that rhyme (like moose, goose, and caboose). 3. I introduce new words to my child, like “bow” and “stern,” which mean the front of a boat and the back of a boat. 4. I talk with my child about the letters of the alphabet and notice them in books, like “c” for canoe. 5. I point out signs and labels that have letters, like street signs and foods in the grocery store. 6. I encourage my child to find the joy and fun in reading. Usually, I let my child choose the books we read. 7. I let my child pretend to read parts of the book when we read together. 8. I talk with my child