Building early language and reading skills in young children is important for future school success. Parents can help by talking and reading to their child starting at birth. Using descriptive language when reading, asking open-ended questions, and responding with praise can build reading, writing, and language abilities. Playing games that focus on sounds, letters, rhyming words, and recognizing shapes also helps prepare children for learning to read.

1. BUILDING EARLY
READING SKILLS
Did You Know?
There are natural opportunities to
support your young scholar’s learning:
Easy Steps Parents Can Take
Building early language and reading skills in young children is important to help them
prepare for success in school. Talking and reading to your child—starting at birth—will
build reading, writing, and talking abilities. If your child is a strong reader, it will be
easier to understand words in other school subjects, like math and science.
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Northside
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Usedescriptivecommentswhenreadingto
yourchild.
Askopen-endedquestionstohelpyour
childthinkofwhatcomesnext.
Respondtoyourchildwithpraise.
Expandonwhatyourchildsays.
C
A
R
E
• Meal time: Ask your child to tell
you what she wants to eat or to
tell you something good about her
day.
• Getting dressed: Have your child
tell you what he is putting on, and
encourage him to say colors.
• When you are writing: Try to write
down words your child says.
When your child watches you
write, she learns a lot about how
written language works.
• Play games with your child that
use rhyming words or focus on
the beginning sounds.
• Talk with your child about letter
names and letter sounds like,
“That’s an L, and L sounds like...”.
• Play games that include
recognizing shapes and letters.
Search for certain letters on signs
or on grocery store items.
• Sing songs, read nursery rhymes,
or play hand-clap games like Mary
Mac.