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Comprehension is understanding what we read or hear. In preschool, it means being able to talk about a story, answer questions, and make connections to their own life. It’s the heart of why we read, which is to understand and enjoy stories.

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While fluency means the skill “to read text accurately and automatically so that one understands what is being read”, that changes a bit in pre-k (Fluency for Pre-K | NC DPI, n.d.). In pre-k, as the educator, we must model what fluency looks like. This means presenting the opportunity to the students to listen to expressive reading or joining in with repeated phrases.

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Vocabulary knowledge refers to children understanding “the meanings of individual words” (Vocabulary for Pre-K | NC DPI, n.d.). It includes words they hear, speak, read, and write. A strong vocabulary supports reading comprehension and expressive language. Many children in pre-k and kindergarten are introduced to new words through discussion and reading. We can reinforce the meanings through discussions.

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Phonics, per Merriam-Webster (n.d.), is a method of teaching beginners to read and pronounce words by learning the phonetic value of letters, letter groups, and especially syllables. Phonics involves teaching children how letters represent sounds and how they can use this knowledge to read and write words.

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Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, recognize, and control individual sounds in spoken words. It's an essential foundation for learning to read, as it helps children understand that words are made up of sounds, and those sounds can be blended or separated.

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Activity 1: Syllable Clapping with Names – Children will clap the syllables in their names or objects.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Clap along with the child or provide picture prompts for objects.

Activity 2:  Sound sorting – Use small manipulatives (like ball, bat, banana) and have students sort the objects by beginning sounds.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use fewer objects/choices or work on a couple of letters.

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Activity 1: Alphabet matching game - Children will have to match uppercase and lowercase letters to corresponding beginning sound pictures.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use sensory letters or include audio support for students with sensory needs.

Activity 2:  Sensory Tray Letters – Children will trace letters in sand, flour, etc. while saying the sound.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use verbal cues for language-delayed students, or sensory letters for visually impaired students.

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Play “I Spy” using sounds

For example, I spy something that starts with the /s/ sound. This activity will help children tune into initial sounds. This can be simplified by limiting choices or using a picture.

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Reading Rockets

This resource offers guides and activity ideas for many components and skills at all levels. There are great resources that supports learners with or without language-based learning needs.

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You are welcome to print copies for non-commercial use, or a limited number for educational purposes, as long as credit is given to Reading Rockets and the author(s). For commercial use, please contact the author or publisher listed.

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Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify, hear, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words. Manipulating the sounds in words includes blending, stretching, or otherwise changing words.

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Fridge Fun

Using magnetic letters to build names or small CVC words.

This hands-on activity will help reinforce letter recognition and sound association. You can start off small with putting together the child’s name and work your way to spelling out simple words, like cat, dog, bat, etc. This activity is also beneficial for tactile learners.

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Starfall

This resource is a free, interactive website that teachers letters and sounds with visuals and audio. This is ideal for students of all learning levels, including those with exceptionalities.

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Starfall Education: Kids Games, Movies, Books & Music for K-5 and above

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At Starfall, children have fun while they learn - specializing in reading, phonics & math - educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for children K-5 and above.

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Activity 1: Unit/Theme Word Walls and Labels – Display a word wall or labels with pictures throughout the classroom and center areas. This will expose and showcase words that correspond to the unit/theme.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use bilingual labels for ELs and have corresponding picture for visual aids.

Activity 2: Sensory Tray Letters – Children will trace letters in sand, flour, etc. while saying the sound.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use verbal cues for language-delayed students, or sensory letters for visually impaired students.

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Label Time!

The child will put labels on household items or furniture with the help of a family member.

This hands-on activity will help reinforce new words for different household items or furniture. This will help build environmental print awareness. This will be especially helpful for visual and ELL learners.

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Reading Rockets

This resource offers guides and activity ideas for many components and skills at all levels. There are great resources that supports learners with or without language-based learning needs.

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Talking to and reading with your child are two terrific ways to help them hear and read new words. Conversations and questions about interesting words are easy, non-threatening ways to get new words into everyday talk. Here are some ideas to get you started.

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Activity 1: Read repetitive text – Read a book like Brown Bear and have the children echo sentences.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Shorten the sentence or use visual props.

Activity 2:  Song or Poems – Recite nursery rhymes or fingerplays.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Use hand motions or gestures for nonverbal children.

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Read Aloud

Families will model expressive reading during story time.

This simple activity will fulfill many components as well as provide some bonding time with the child. By simply reading to your child, you are exposing them to new vocabulary, modeling expressive reading, and bonding with them.

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Storyline Online

This resource is free and is filled with professional actors that read children’s books with engaging expression and visuals. It models fluent reading for all learners.

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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Activity 1: Read Aloud with Questions - Read a book aloud to the students. Throughout the book, be sure to ask questions to have the predict what comes next or to gauge their understanding.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Offer picture choices or yes/no question options.

Activity 2:  Story sequencing – Give students felt pictures or pictures from the story and have them place them in order.

Differentiation for students with exceptionalities – Reduce the number of cards for students who need support or use Velcro boards for tactile learners.

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Drawing the Story

Read a story to your child. Then, have your child draw a picture of their favorite part of the story and describe it to you.

This simple activity will allow non-verbal or language-delayed children to demonstrate understanding through art. It also strengthens narrative thinking and oral language skills when they explain their drawing.

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Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read partners with pediatricians to promote early literacy by encouraging parents to read aloud with their children daily. The website offers tips for families on choosing developmentally appropriate books and using conversation to build comprehension. This is a valuable resource for children with and without exceptionalities.

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Moments that Matter
Integrating reading aloud into pediatric care.

New, Peer-Reviewed Study Shows Transformative Impact of Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read Podcast has been named a Silver Award winner in the health category in the second annual Anthem Awards.
The podcast focuses on the belief that reading aloud with children helps with brain development, builds strong family bonds and creates happy and healthy children and a healthier society. The podcast is an extension of the organization's work nationwide.

Building on our strong foundation of more than three decades, Reach Out and Read is focusing on equitably strengthening and deepening our impact on the children, families, and communities we serve. As we recover from COVID-19, there is an even greater sense of urgency to scale and expand our impact to support that recovery for the children and families most impacted.

In support of the global campaign for racial justice and social equity, it is incumbent upon us to work toward meaningful change in all that we are and all that we do. To read about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

All children need strong, positive, and nurturing relationships to grow and develop. These parent/caregiver-child relationships often begin at birth and are essential for healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional development. We remain committed to supporting families with young children and our resource library can help you learn more about the benefits of reading aloud together and creating those "moments that matter."

It's vital that children benefit from reading and other language-rich experiences starting at birth. Reading together furthers language acquisition, promotes brain development, and provides an opportunity for families to build powerful, lasting bonds.

At Reach Out and Read, we know that reading aloud together, telling stories, and sharing books help forge a meaningful connection between caregiver and child-they create moments that matter. This is the underpinning of what's known as Early Relational Health. These positive, language-rich interactions are the foundation for a young child's healthy development and long-term well-being. By making Reach Out and Read a part of their practice, pediatric healthcare providers have a built-in strategy for working with families to strengthen that essential relationship. As part of our Next Chapter, Reach Out and Read is committed to expanding and strengthening our network and bringing moments that matter to every young child, every family, and every community.

We are the only national pediatric literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Reach Out and Read has a national presence-and we're still growing.

National Center
Reach Out and Read
89 South St., Suite 201
Boston, MA 02111

info@reachoutandread.org
Phone: 617.455.0600

National Center
Reach Out and Read
89 South St., Suite 201
Boston, MA 02111

info@reachoutandread.org
Phone: 617.455.0600

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Reach Out and Read is a national children's literacy charity that serves more than 4.2 million children a year across the U.S.