How to Create a Reading Environment for Preschool Kids

The greatest gift to give a child is the ability to read. Creating a reading environment for preschool children starts early in life through shared experiences with their caregivers. A compilation of recent research on reading identified consistent elements in home environments that encourage early reading.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Engage young children in lap-time reading. Read 1,000 hours to children before they enter Kindergarten. That is approximately 32 minutes everyday. It doesn't have to be in one sitting. Place younger children on your lap, if possible. Older children should sit next to the reader.

2. Read in the home. Children need to witness their caregivers reading. Read the newspaper. Read magazines. Read books. Read regularly. Read in front of the children. The home must have a collection of varied, classic-style reading material.

3. Collect age-appropriate reading material. Preschoolers need age-appropriate books around the house including picture books and simple stories. This reading material belongs to them. Verbalize that, "These books are your very own books."

4. Talk with your preschoolers. Initiate communication through conversations. Children need to be involved with the spoken words. Use a rich language in the home. Use descriptive words to describe objects in and around the environment. Improve everyone's vocabulary in the environment. Involve children in conversations and discussions. Ask their opinions.

5. Reduce or eliminate television viewing. Establish a reading time and turn the television set off. Make sure everyone reads.

6. Learn to love and value reading. Children will demonstrate love and value of a reading culture in their environment. Children will copy their caregivers.

7. Repeat all of the steps everyday.