Lay a foundation for reading
Reading starts with more basic language acquisition, so kids must learn to recognize words before they can begin reading. This happens naturally by exploring the world with kids. However, it’s often helpful to be more intentional about this process, and it’s easy with the 3 N’s – Notice, Nudge, and Narrate.
Begin by noticing what your child is doing. Then, you can nudge them by asking a question or offering more information. For example, if they’re playing with animal figures or a doll, you could ask, “Is that a horse?” or say, “The doll is wearing a dress.” Finally, you can narrate their activity, “You’re hugging your doll. It’s so soft. Do you like hugs?”
When you notice, nudge, and narrate in daily life, kiddos will begin to acquire the language basics needed for future reading!