Sounds like... for Preschoolers and their Parents

Did you know that there are simple ways you can help your child get ready to read? The American Library Association has identified 6 essential skills that children need to learn before entering Kindergarten.

Now, before you panic, these skills can be taught without any special training and without tears! Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be giving you some tips for working on these.

Let's start with Phonological Awareness. I know, it sounds scary, but it really isn't. As I tell the preschoolers during story time, phonological awareness is mostly knowing that all letters have their own sounds. This can be beginning sounds or ending sounds, like rhyming. It also includes hearing the rhythm of language.

First of all, songs and nursery rhymes are fabulous for teaching phonological awareness. Children enjoy them and the rhythms and rhymes are exactly what phonological awareness is about!

Most books can be used for teaching any of the six skills. Honest! There is no right of wrong way to do this! But here are a few books that I have found work very well:



Bit Fat Hen by Keith Baker









Cowlick by Christin Ditchfield










Dinosaur Roar by Paul Stickland






Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit by Catherine Rayner








Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks










Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm by Joy Cowley









My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss










Rrralph by Lois Ehlert










There are many games on the internet that you can play with your child to work on recognizing letter sounds. Here are few that I've found:

ABC Match from ReadWriteThink.

Sassy Seals from Paw Park

If you have any questions or need more ideas, come see me @ your library!