Ready to Read!
Reading readiness tips
Six skills that contribute to early reading success
Fingerplay Fun videos
Early literacy links
Reading readiness tips
Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Talking, singing, sharing books, and playing are all important parts of getting kids ready to read. Have fun and share with your kids every day!
Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. You can help your child learn important skills now so they can become successful readers.
- Be a reading role model: Monkey see, monkey do. If you enjoy reading, they will too!
- Keep reading fun: Don’t make book time a chore. Share when everybody is in a good mood.
- Sing and rhyme often: Remember your favorite nursery rhyme? Pass it on!
- Tell stories: Share your stories and encourage your kids to share theirs too.
- Practice patience: It is ok if the kids are not focused on the book while you share.
Be sure to check out the ready-to-read booklists at the right of the page for reading materials!
Six skills that contribute to early reading success
- Print Motivation
Being interested in and enjoying books. - Vocabulary
Knowing the name of things. - Print Awareness
Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page. - Letter Knowledge
Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere. - Phonological Awareness
Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. - Narrative Skills
Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.
Fingerplay Fun
Fingerplays and rhymes are wonderful literacy builders! They encourage conversations, beg to be sung and are built around a love of play. Learn more and enjoy these videos of Washington County librarians demonstrating some of their favorite rhymes in English and Spanish.
Early literacy links
- Born Learning: helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality early learning opportunities for young children
- Zero to Three: shares information and support in promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers
- Reach Out and Read: works with pediatricians to promote early literacy and school readiness education
- Center for Early Literacy Learning: engages in activities that enhance and promote healthy child, parent and family functioning
- Mem Fox's Ten Read-Aloud Commandments: from the children’s author and literacy advocate