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Getting Your Child Ready to Read
From One to Three Years Old
Oral Language Development - When 12-18 months old, your child will begin to talk in one-, two- or three-word sentences. He or she will begin to understand the pragmatics or use of language, such as asking for a cookie or understanding what "going bye-bye" means. Language development involves two areas:
Receptive Language means all of the words that a child can understand, even if he or she is unable to speak or read them.
Expressive language means all of the words that a child can use by speaking or reading. Your child will understand words before being able to use them and will understand more words than he or she can use. Your child should recognize specific pictures in a book and point to items when asked. Recognizing or choosing a favorite book to read is a great way for your child to practice the use of language.
Vocabulary Development is the collection of words your child knows, the names of things and ideas. Having a large, varied vocabulary will give your child a great start when entering school and will help the child to recognize and understand words when beginning to read. Otherwise, your child might learn to read the words on a page but might not understand the meaning of what he or she is reading. For example, if your child can read every word in a sentence about a tiger, but has never heard of or talked about what a tiger is, then the child may not fully comprehend what the sentence means. The amount and quality of exposure to new concepts and vocabulary through playing, reading and experiencing daily activities together is vitally important in helping to increase your child's vocabulary. By two years of age, your child should have a vocabulary of 300-500 words and should be able to name familiar pictures and recite parts of stories.
Motivation for reading is the child's level of interest in books and reading. A child who has a positive outlook on reading and literacy experiences will spend more time learning and practicing reading and writing throughout life. At this age, a child with a positive attitude toward reading will enjoy being read to, ask to be read to and pretend to read and write. Your child may not attend to lengthy books. Choose stories that are of specific interest and the child will be an active listener. The important thing to remember is for your child to associate reading with pleasure and enjoyment.
Print Awareness is understanding that reading and writing are means of communicating and follow basic rules and patterns. Some "rules" that your child may be aware of at this age are that a book has a front and a back and that it can be "opened" and "closed."
Knowledge of Narrative - By two years of age, your child will begin speaking in phrases and sentences. The child should be able to repeat pieces of familiar stories and may even protest when you use an incorrect word while reading a familiar story. As your child develops, he or she will listen to longer stories and may be able to retell entire stories in a short sequence of events.
Birth to 12 Months Old
» From One to Three Years Old
From Three to Four Years Old
From Four to Five Years Old
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Language and Literacy Development
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