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Reading with kids makes them more likely to succeed in school

Reading Aloud & Early Literacy

Reading helps children learn:

  • Letters and their sounds

  • Phonological awareness (rhyming; breaking down words into sounds)

  • Narrative skills and comprehension

  • Background knowledge (learning about the world around them)

  • Vocabulary

  • Print awareness (the way a book is organized; learning that print has meaning; loving books)

In other words, reading aloud can teach children all the oral language components they need to know in order to become successful readers. But perhaps the most important thing reading out loud can teach children is a love of reading. If the reading aloud experience is fun and pleasurable, a child will want to learn to read and will work hard to learn, even if it is sometimes a struggle. So...

HOW we read with young children is every bit as important - or more important! - as how often we read with them.Reading with your child makes reading fun for them!

For example:

  • If children are actively involved in the reading aloud experience, they learn more early literacy skills - and it's more fun!

  • Talk, talk, talk - about the story and the pictures. Encourage your child to participate with repeated phrases, animal sounds, and so on. Ask your child what is happening in the pictures or to predict what will happen next. If something in the story or the pictures prompts a memory in your child's life, talk about it! Have a conversation around the book and always keep it fun!

Here are three great ways to read aloud with a child:

Dialogic Reading

Shared Reading

Picture Book Walk

This Month's Featured Reads!

LCPL staff have selected these books because kids love them and they help build important pre-reading skills. Check them out today!

Want more hand-picked kids' books? You can request a surprise bag of kids' books for curbside pickup! 

book cover Title:
Boop! by Bea Birdsong, illus. by Linzie Hunter

Skills:
• Print Awareness
• Vocabulary
• Background Knowledge

Practices:
• Talking
• Reading
• Playing

Extend the book by booping a dog's nose! (With permission!)


Book Cover Title:
What's Your Name? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Skills:
• Print Awareness
• Letter Knowledge
• Vocabulary

Practices:
• Playing
• Talking
• Singing
• Writing

Extend the Book with a cloud and rainbow spelling craft!

TumbleBook of the Day (by Indiana State Library and Tumblebooks)

Preschool Events
No events at this branch
Family Events
Tue, Oct 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Children's Department

Sat, Oct 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
St. John - Children's Program Room

Sat, Oct 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville Branch Library - South Parking Lot

Wed, Oct 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Children's Department

Sat, Oct 14, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Oct 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Highland - Children's Programming Room

Tue, Oct 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Children's Department

Thu, Oct 19, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room

Sat, Oct 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room

Wed, Oct 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville Branch - Children's Department

Thu, Oct 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room