Cereal boxes. Books. Street signs. T-shirts. Printed words are everywhere in your child’s world! But what do all those letters and numbers mean to him? For a young child, figuring out printed language is like following a map to a secret treasure. Every discovery builds understanding … and every step brings him closer to the priceless rewards of reading!

Connect the dots with reading.
The first mystery that your child will unravel is that printed words have meaning—the symbols on the paper correspond to the words he hears. Reading out loud with your child is a great way to help him make this connection. It also unlocks the door to countless other discoveries, including:

• Print is different from pictures. Explain how pictures can help to show what the story tells with letters and words. Point to the picture of the dog, and then point to the word “dog” as you say “dog.”
• Stories start at the beginning. Point out and read the different parts of the book, including the front cover, title, page numbers, and back cover.
• Words on the page are words you say. By pointing to the words as you read them, and emphasizing the individual sounds of letters, you show that printed words correspond to spoken words and sounds.

All signs point to success.
Books are just one way to keep your child on the trail of word awareness and meaning. Even if you don’t have a book on hand, there are lots of ways to help your child begin to notice print all around:

• Make it a game. Point out and read printed language wherever it appears—from magazines and posters to websites and outdoor signs like billboards and storefronts.
• See, say, and explain. As you point out words and letters around you, use them. “I see a “B” on that sign. Your name, Bob, starts with B too!”

So, be your child’s guide! The more you read and play around with words, the quicker he’ll discover that words have meaning. And from there, it’s only time before he reaps the rewards of reading, writing, and communicating.

Special thanks to Nina Sazer O’Donnell, Robert Needleman, M.D., F.A.A.P., and Charles Perfetti, Ph.D., in reviewing this edition of Bits of Understanding.

Civitas thanks Parents as Teachers, an international early childhood parent education and family support program, for their ongoing support. This Civitas tool was adapted for the Born Learning campaign.

© 2007 Civitas