Reading Skills to Focus on Before Kindergarten
Is my preschooler ready to read?
You might think getting ready for kindergarten means teaching your child to read—but that’s not the goal! Before kindergarten, children benefit most from building the foundational skills that make learning to read easier. This includes knowing some letters and their sounds, recognizing their name in print, understanding that we read from left to right, and developing an interest in books and stories. These early literacy skills give children the building blocks they need to become confident readers.
What should preschoolers learn before Kindergarten?
One of the biggest areas to focus on before kindergarten is phonological awareness, or the ability to notice and play with the sounds in spoken words. Your child can practice this skill without looking at a single letter!
Try clapping out syllables in words, identifying words that rhyme, noticing words that start with the same sound, or playing games where you stretch out the sounds in simple words.
It’s also important to build language and comprehension skills by reading together, talking about characters and events, introducing new vocabulary, and asking your child questions about what you read. These skills help children understand what they read—not just sound out the words.
Should My 5 Year Old Be Reading Before Kindergarten?
No, your child does not need to know how to read before entering kindergarten! Remember that kindergarten readiness is about building a strong foundation, not making your preschooler do kindergarten work early.
Reading together, singing songs, playing with sounds, drawing and writing, talking about new words, and enjoying stories are all meaningful ways to prepare your child for reading. If your child is entering kindergarten and you’re wondering whether their literacy skills are on track, an SLP can help identify strengths and areas that may need extra support. A little targeted support before kindergarten can help your child walk into the classroom feeling confident, capable, and ready to learn.
What if my preschooler needs extra help with reading?
Focus Speech Therapy provides a preschool reading program, Ready Readers, which is aplay-based early literacy program designed to help preschoolers build the skills they need to feel confident heading into kindergarten. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing they have the skills to be a…ready reader!
