We all want our kids to grow up loving books and feeling confident as readers. But did you know that the journey to strong reading skills starts way before preschool, and right at home?
Decades of research behind the Science of Reading show that kids need a solid foundation in things like phonological awareness (hearing and playing with sounds), vocabulary, and oral language. And while programs like Early Head Start, Head Start, and the School Districts' Pre-k programs do a great job creating language-rich classrooms, thanks in part to Florida Gulf Coast University’s teacher training, parents play a huge role long before that first day of school.
From the moment your child hears your voice, they’re soaking up the building blocks of literacy. You don’t need fancy tools or a teaching degree to make an impact. All it takes is everyday moments, a little creativity, and a lot of love.
Here are some easy strategies parents can use at home. From 0-3 years old, the Early Head Start years, you are building the language foundation. At this stage, your little one is tuning into the sounds and rhythms of language, even if they’re not talking yet. Listening is the first step toward reading.
Try these:
- Talk all the time: Narrate your day—folding laundry, cooking dinner, walking through the store. Describe what you see and do. Respond to their babbles like it’s a real conversation.
- Sing together: Nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle or Itsy Bitsy Spider help kids hear patterns and repetition.
- Read aloud daily: Pick books with rhyme and rhythm. Point to pictures, name objects, and let your child choose their favorite book—even if it’s the same one every night!
In the Head Start period from ages 3 to 5, your child is now playing with sounds. They are starting to notice that words are made up of smaller sounds, and that letters represent those sounds. This is a great time to make sound play part of your routine.
Try these:
- Clap out syllables: Break words into beats—like “ba-na-na”—to help them hear word parts.
- Play “I Spy” with sounds: “I spy something that starts with /s/” is a fun way to build sound awareness.
- Read books with rhyme and alliteration: Favorites like Brown Bear, Brown Bear or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom are perfect for this age.
By Pre-K, ages four and up, kids are ready to connect the sounds they hear with the letters they see. This is where phonemic awareness meets phonics, and it’s a big leap toward reading.
Try these:
- Break words into sounds: Ask, “What sounds do you hear in ‘dog’?” and help them stretch it out.
- Play rhyming games: “What rhymes with ‘hat’?” helps kids recognize sound families.
- Use decodable books: These are simple books that follow phonics rules, so kids can practice sounding out words and feel successful.
Reading really does begin at home. And with a little love, language, and laughter woven into your daily routines, you are giving your child the best possible start. You’re not just raising a reader; you are raising a lifelong learner.