It may sound obvious, but the best way to instill a love of reading in your child is simple: Read with them regularly. Sharing a book together is not only a perfect opportunity for close bonding, but it also introduces them to letters and that those letters form words and sentences. And by making reading a fun daily ritual, you’ll build important elements of literacy that will give your child a head start at school.
As you prepare your child for starting school, you might be wondering what developmental milestones they are typically expected to meet. Now that your child is four, they’ve probably ditched the board books and graduated to picture books. They’re likely starting to develop basic skills, such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and possibly even reading simple words. (Keep in mind that all children learn and grow at their own pace — and in their own way).
At this point in your child’s reading journey, it’s important to be patient and generous with praise and encouragement. Positive reinforcement will help them associate reading as a pleasurable activity from a young age. The bonus is that reading with them is quality time spent with you.
As you read together, engage your 4-year-old by asking questions like: “Do you know any of the letters on this page?” “Can you point to all the letter Bs?” “Can you spot any letters from your name?” You can also discuss what you think will happen next, how the characters might be feeling, or how the story could end.
Animal Friends and Fun Illustrations
Finding the perfect story isn’t always easy, but filling your shelves with different types of books is a great way to introduce young readers to new ideas and topics. If your child is sometimes hesitant to read, the more books you have, the better the chances of finding the book that’s “just right” for them.
Incorporating a goodnight theme into story time is an ideal way to read together while preparing your little one for bed. Collections like Clifford’s Bedtime Story Box are perfect for snuggling up before teeth-brushing time. Children love following the Big Red Dog’s adventures as he explores the world around him with his little girl best friend, Emily Elizabeth.
Alternatively, read-aloud books like How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? get the giggles out, while Llama, Llama Red Pajama is a heartwarming story that will soothe any bedtime anxiety with its gentle rhyming and reassuring message. For other kids with a more mischievous streak, try No, David! This award-winning book tells the hilarious story of a little boy who can’t seem to stop getting in trouble.
