Launching Young Readers series
Our PBS series explores reading and writing development in young children. These shows focus particularly on preschool children:
Reading and writing readiness
Sounds of Speech
Figuring out words that rhyme, coming up with words that share a beginning sound, and saying silly words all help build a child's phonological awareness — the ability to notice, think about, and play with sounds in words.
Print Awareness
Print awareness is understanding that print is organized in a particular way — that print is read from left to right and top to bottom, words consist of letters, and spaces appear between words.
Letters
One strong predictor of success in reading is a child’s familiarity with the letters of the alphabet — knowing a letter’s name, shape and sound.
Oral Language and Vocabulary
Kids who hear more words spoken at home learn more words and enter school with better vocabularies. This larger vocabulary pays off exponentially as a child progresses through school.
Writing
Even our youngest learners enjoy putting crayon to paper. What often starts as scribbling ends up being important clues to a child’s understanding that print carries meaning. Give kids lots of opportunity to practice!Developmental milestones and early intervention
Early Intervention
- Preschool Reading Readiness Screener (Nemours BrightStart!)
- Advocating for Your Pre-School Child
- The Parent-Teacher Conference (Pre-K)
- Recognize Early Signs of Trouble
- Does My Preschooler Have Delayed Development?
- Recognition and Response: An Early Intervening System for Young Children At-Risk for Learning Disabilities
- Webcast: Implementing Response to Intervention in Early Childhood Settings
Reading aloud
Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and teachers can do with children. Reading aloud builds many important foundational skills, introduces vocabulary, provides a model of fluent, expressive reading, and helps children recognize what reading for pleasure is all about.
- Hints on How to Read Aloud to a Group
- Use a PEER When You Read Aloud
- Simple Yet Powerful Things to Do While Reading Aloud
- Sharing Wordless Picture Books
- How to Read With a Squiggly Baby (or Toddler!)
- Make Reading Part of Your Preschooler's Everyday Life
- Parent Reading Tips for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Choosing a Child’s Book
High quality preschool and childcare
- Pre-K Across the Country
- What Is High Quality Pre-K?
- Interview with Dr. Robert Pianta (University of Virginia): The benefits and characteristics of a good preschool program
- Choosing a Preschool
- Give Your Child a Head Start
- Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers and Child Care and Family Providers (PDF)
- Preschool Language and Literacy Practices (PDF)
- The NICHD Study of Early Child Care (PDF)
- Find an NAEYC-Accredited program serving young children
