Look for Books

This School Readiness Activity provides early literacy thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades.

Look for Books

The main thing is to find books you both love. They will shape your child's first impression of the world of reading.

What to Do:

1. Ask friends, neighbors, and teachers to share the names of their favorite books.

2. Visit your local public library, and as early as possible, get your child a library card. Ask the librarian for help in selecting books. (Also see the resources section at the end of this book.)

3. Look for award-winning books. Each year the American Library Association selects children's books for the Caldecott Medal for illustration and the Newbery Medal for writing.

4. Check the book review sections of newspapers and magazines for recommended new children's books.

5. As soon as your children are old enough, have them join you in browsing for books and making selections.

6. If you and your child don't enjoy reading a particular book, put it aside and pick up another one.

Keep in mind that your child's reading and listening levels are different. When you read easy books, beginning readers will soon be reading along with you. When you read more advanced books, you instill a love of stories, and you build the motivation that transforms your children into lifelong readers.

Source: Helping Your Child Learn to Read, U.S. Department of Education