Do I need to start teaching my preschooler how to read?

No, you do not need to start structured reading lessons with your 3 year old preschooler. Most preschoolers are not ready for structured sit-down lessons.  However, you should definitely begin developing the essential pre-reading skills in print awareness, phonemic awareness, directional tracking and alphabetic awareness.   There are many fun, age-appropriate games that you can play with your preschooler to help him develop these essential skills. See the articles Phonemic Awareness Explained: What Phonemic Awareness Is, Why Phonemic Awareness is important and Linking Phonemic Awareness to Print  and  Fun Activities to Help Your Child Develop Phonemic Awareness. 

In addition to phonemic awareness, you should also begin print awareness and alphabetic awareness activities. Print awareness helps the child develop awareness that the print, those black squiggles on the page, actually represent sounds and words. Alphabetic awareness games help young children learn the initial relationship between letters and sounds. Start with these essential pre-reading skills and then move into a direct systematic phonics program around 5 years old.

Remember preschoolers are first and foremost still little kids. Like a puppy, it is natural for preschoolers to be energetic with short attention spans. Keep activities appropriate and fun. And of course, always read to your child!

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Additional information, articles and resources on teaching students to read proficiently is located on the Free Reading Information page of the Right Track Reading website.

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This information was written by Miscese Gagen a mother with a passion for teaching children to read proficiently by using effective methods. She is also a successful reading tutor and author of the reading instructional programs Right Track Reading Lessons and Back on the Right Track Reading Lessons. The purpose of this information is to empower parents and teachers with information on teaching children how to read. We CAN improve reading proficiency, one student at a time!  Additional information is located at www.righttrackreading.com ~ Copyright 2005, 2006, 2007 Miscese R. Gagen