About Ready Set Read

Welcome to the Ready ... Set ... Read blog from the Gail Borden Public Library Early Learning Center!  This blog will help you stay informed about ways you can help your child get Ready to Read through fun activities, entertaining books, playful songs and much more. 

What does "Ready to Read" mean?  Reading is essential to school success.  From the time they are infants, children learn language and communication skills that help them learn how to read.  By helping your child get Ready to Read, when your child starts kindergarten, he or she will be able to focus on learning how to read, instead of learning essential literacy skills.

Take a look at our video below for more information about the program.

Five simple activities to help your child get ready to read:

Talking

Singing

Reading

Writing

Playing

Talking:  Children learn language and other early literacy skills by listening to their parents and others talk.  They learn new words and what they mean. Encourage conversation with your child and introduce new words.  If English isn't your first language, speak to your children in the language you know best so you can better explain things around you.

Singing:  Singing slows down language so children can hear different sounds that make up words.  Singing the alphabet and nursery rhymes are ways to learn about language. Clapping along with the rhythm allows children to hear the syllables. 

Reading:  Reading together not only helps children develop an interest in reading, but also increases vocabulary and general knowledge.  Read every day. Make reading an interactive activity between the two of you by talking about the cover, asking questions during the story and even have your child turn the pages. 

Writing:  Reading and writing go together representing spoken language and communication.  Writing begins with scribbles and marks and encourages hand-eye coordination.  Talking about what your child draws or writes helps make a connection between spoken and printed language.  

Playing:  Play helps children think symbolically and also helps them express themselves putting thoughts into words.  Encourage unstructured play so children can use their imagination and dramatic play using stuffed animals or puppets so children can understand stories and books.

Early literacy begins with you! As a parent or caregiver, you are your child's first teacher.  Home is where children begin to learn.  By using these simple activities, you'll provide early literacy skills that your child will take with them throughout the school years.  You are in the best position to help because:

• Young children have short attention spans.  Ready to Read activities can be done for short bits of time throughout the day. 

• You can help your child learn in ways and at times that are easiest for them.  Do they like to read before taking a nap or going to bed at night?  Do they like to sing a song in the morning before eating breakfast?  Taking into consideration a child's behavior and daily patterns will make these fun activities for both of you.

• Parents are tremendous role models and if your child sees that you think reading is important, they will want to follow your lead and do what you do! 

• Children learn best by doing and they love doing things with the people who love them the most!  You!

      

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Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® is a program of the Association for Library Service to Children and Public Library Association, divisions of the American Library Association. Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® is a registered trademark and is used with permission.

At Ready...Set...Read, stories, rhymes, songs, links etc. posted are provided as an educational, non-commercial resource for families to engage in early literacy activities and are not the property of the library, except where noted.  All stories, rhymes, songs, links, etc. are strictly for viewing and reading purposes only. Copying, redistributing and printing is not allowed.  We make every attempt to abide by copyright law and provide author/owner credit where applicable, and when possible.  If you feel your information is being posted without your permission or in an inappropriate manner, please contact us and we will gladly remove it.