6 by 6 Ready to Read
Researchers have identified SIX important pre-reading skill areas that we can help children develop before they learn to read – around the age of 6:
HAVE FUN WITH BOOKS– The first step in learning to read is wanting to learn. Choose books that you and your children will enjoy. Use expression when you read. When your children see you reading for pleasure, they will want to be readers, too!
NOTICE PRINT ALL AROUND YOU – Let your children handle books and help you turn pages. Babies will even put them in their mouths! Point to words on the page as you read so your children understand that we read from left to right, front to back, and top to bottom – not all cultures do. Point out signs and printed words wherever you go. Have books, newspapers and magazines throughout your home.
TALK, TALK, TALK – Point to objects and name them. Name feelings, too! When you come to a new word in a boo, talk about its meaning. Children hear and learn more new words when you read books, and a larger vocabulary is linked to greater reading success.
TELL STORIES ABOUT EVERYTHING – Talk about your day to show that all stories have a beginning, middle and end. Let children help tell the story or act it out. Choose books without words and encourage your children to tell the storyfrom the pictures. Ask questions when you read, such as, “What do you think will happen next?” These activities help with comprehension.
LOOK FOR LETTERS EVERYWHERE – Children need to know shapes before they can learn letters. Hang shape mobiles about your baby’s crib, read books about shapes and play with shape puzzles and sorting games. Talk about letters and letter sounds in objects and words that your children know.
TAKE TIME TO RHYME, SING, AND PLAY WORD GAMES – Read Mother Goose rhymes and sing with your children. Play with words and help your children sound them out. Rhymes and music help children learn to hear the smaller sounds of language.
EARLY TALKERS (Birth to Two Years)
RECIPE CARDS
Goodnight Moon (Skill: Notice Print All Around)
Hug (Skill: Tell Stories About Everything)
I Kissed the Baby (Skill: Talk, Talk, Talk)
Kitten’s First Full Moon (Skill: Have Fun With Books)
Moo, Baa, La, La, La (Skill: Have Fun With Books)
Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear (Skill: Take Time to Rhyme)
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt (Skill: Notice Print All Around)
White or Black (Skill: Look for Letters Everywhere)
TALKERS (Two-Three Years Old)
RECIPE CARDS
Edward the Emu (Skill: Tell Stories About Everything)
Five Little Pumpkins (Skill: Talk, Talk, Talk)
The Great Fuzz Frenzy (Skill: Notice Print All Around)
I’m a Little Teapot (Skill: Have Fun with Books)
Llama Llama Misses Mama (Skill: Take Time to Rhyme)
The Rainbow Fish (Skill: Look for Letters Everywhere)
Shape by Shape (Skill: Talk, Talk, Talk)
Sheep in a Jeep (Skill: Tell Stories About Everything)
The Turn-Around Upside-Down Alphabet Book (Skill: Look for Letters Everywhere)
PRE-READERS (Four to Five Years Old)
RECIPE CARDS
Bad Kitty (Skill: Look for Letters Everywhere)
Bear Snores On (Skill: Talk, Talk, Talk)
The Giving Tree (Skill: Tell Stories About Everything)
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie (Skill: Take Time to Rhyme)
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything (Skill: Notice Print All Around)
Olivia (Skill: Have Fun with Books)
The Pout-Pout Fish (Skill: Notice Print All Around)
Stellaluna (Skill: Tell Stories About Everything)
6×6 Card Packets are available at the Library – stop by if interested and pick up your FREE set today!