Before I Can Read
Children at this stage understand that writing conveys a message. They can - over time - retell a story when looking at pages of a favorite book, name letters of alphabet, recognize some signs, and perhaps print their own name. They acquire new skills by being read to.
Tips for Caregivers
Read aloud a full range of stories. Exposure to a variety of sounds, words, concepts, images, and formats are important during their first five years. Look for books with large print, wide letter spacing, repetitive patterns, repeated vocabulary, limited text, and lots of pictures.
