A Child Becomes a Reader

When does a child learn to read? Many people might say, “in kindergarten or first grade.” But
researchers have told us something very important. Learning to read and write can start at
home, long before children go to school. Children can start down the road to becoming
readers from the day they are born.
Very early, children begin to learn about spoken language when they hear their family
members talking, laughing, and singing, and when they respond to all of the sounds that fill
their world. They begin to understand written language when they hear adults read stories to
them and see adults reading newspapers, magazines, and books for themselves. These early
experiences with spoken and written language set the stage for children to become
successful readers and writers.
Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers, this booklet is for you. It gives
ideas for playing, talking, and reading with your child that will help him* become a good
reader and writer later in life. You don’t need special training or expensive materials. For your
baby or toddler, you can just include some simple, fun language games and activities into the
things you already do together every day. For your preschooler, you can keep in touch with
your child’s teachers so that you know what he is learning in school and support that learning
at home.