Reading to your preschooler is one of the most important daily routines to embrace. Not only does it open up their world to additional language, but it brings imagination into that world. It inspires storytelling and listening skills and introduces them to pre-reading skills. Books help improve communication and help give kids the tools they need to succeed in life.
Stacy Gnibus, a veteran teacher for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, teaches an exuberant group of Transitional Kindergarteners (ages 4-5) at Monte Vista Elementary School. She explains that reading to your preschooler, “builds a lifelong fondness for reading. It ensures calm quality time with just the two - or few - of you. Why not begin the habit when they are babies? One book a day is a great start!”
Mrs. Gnibus suggests that parents “visit your local library and ask the librarian to point you toward books that cater to your child’s interests. You’ll be surprised to find many books available that will be of interest to your children.”
Marissa Cortez is a Preschool Teacher at Mother’s Morning Out in Monterey. She has many years of experience in the classroom and enjoys working with the very young students, ages 2-3.5. Ms. Marissa states that “Reading to a child facilitates language development and vocabulary. It also promotes listening skills and concentration. The best part about reading is that it’s a great way to bond with your child.”
Ms. Marissa also informed me that introducing bilingual books at a young age, such as La Casa Adormecida/The Napping House by Audrey Wood & Dan Wood, will help foster biliteracy and multiculturalism through storytelling, expressions, and illustrations. Marissa explains that “using bilingual materials also helps to include all family members in the read-aloud, even those who cannot read English.”
Reading for 20-30 minutes a day has been our nighttime routine for a few years. You may find that your young child prefers to read the same books over and over again. Even though you may be tempted to hide the book, this repetition IS beneficial! Repeated readings of the same storybook help children learn different words. We like to take the time to look more closely at pictures one day, then the next day focus on the text or characters, etc. This is more challenging and further promotes the child’s cognitive skills.