Best Toy for Preschooler Learning Reading?

[Anonymous]

DD is almost 4 and has gotten quite good at reading and writing individual alphabet letters, but isn't quite there yet when it comes to reading and making words from the letters. Any recommendation for toys (electronic is fine) that may provide a fun game for her and help with this step? I know I can get some apps for a tablet, but she'll drop/lose whatever it is, and I'd prefer a simpler toy just for this purpose. I looked at Leapfrog and they have some toys like this, but the ones I looked at seemed to be just identifying single letters and she's just past that step now. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Alphabet blocks or magnets

[Anonymous]

B0069Z3HV4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487869735&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

[Anonymous]

I really like the preschool prep videos. My son watched a couple of them a few times when he was 3 to 4. Can read anything before kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Not toys, but the Bob books are great, especially the easier sets. I wasn't as thrilled with the harder sets. I seem to remember they introduce more sight words. Almost all words in the English language can be sounded out (at least approximately). It is crucial that children learn to sound out words.

[Anonymous]

Boggle Junior. You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Your lap + books. Jesus.

[Anonymous]

bob books are great, they are small for little hands, funny and nicely illustrated, she will love them. they start very simply with 3 letter words and work up. I think there are 4 or 6 box sets available.

[Anonymous]

OP, as you and your preschooler are snuggle, reading the book, you should be pointing to the words with your finger. This helps reinforce the Concept of Words so that the preschooler can begin to distinguish the words (words have a beginning and end, theyarenotabigoldslurrymess).

You can also do some choral reading where you say a sentence (a short one) and have your son then say it. You should point to the words as you say them and have your son point to the words as he says them. Just a few minutes of this is enough. Reading shouldn't be 'work' at his age! You want it to be fun!

Also, do some rhyming and word play with him. Lots of Dr. Seuss so he gets the cadence and then riff from there.

Basically, though, read, read, read. As you're walking down the street and see the big red sign stop and say, hey, what's that word ... you get the picture! And, remember, as he is 'reading' it is okay if he makes mistakes. Enjoy! The preschool days pass so fast!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, as you and your preschooler are snuggle, reading the book, you should be pointing to the words with your finger. This helps reinforce the Concept of Words so that the preschooler can begin to distinguish the words (words have a beginning and end, theyarenotabigoldslurrymess).

You can also do some choral reading where you say a sentence (a short one) and have your son then say it. You should point to the words as you say them and have your son point to the words as he says them. Just a few minutes of this is enough. Reading shouldn't be 'work' at his age! You want it to be fun!

Also, do some rhyming and word play with him. Lots of Dr. Seuss so he gets the cadence and then riff from there.

Basically, though, read, read, read. As you're walking down the street and see the big red sign stop and say, hey, what's that word ... you get the picture! And, remember, as he is 'reading' it is okay if he makes mistakes. Enjoy! The preschool days pass so fast!

Yikes, skipped a step in choral reading ... You read, you both read together, then child reads. Pointing away during all 3 iterations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your lap + books. Jesus.

Agreed.

Signed,
a preschool teacher.

[Anonymous]

Get the Letter Factory and Word Factory DVDs!! Plus the refrigerator letter magnets. Those were fantastic for both of my kids. Word Factory is not as well done as Letter Factory but does a good job of igniting interest in 'making words'.y

[Anonymous]

Op, this is a good question, I was the clueless mom that thought preschool and reading before bed would be enough and now have a 1st grader struggling to stay on grade reading. I don't plan to make the same mistake with my younger kids. Some things we are using:

Learn to read in 100 easy lessons
Bob books
Lakeshore sight readers
Alphabet magnets
Pointing out reading in everyday life
Library, get a ton of books, bring home, spread out in playroom
Reading a book during meals and more times throughout the day than bedtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, this is a good question, I was the clueless mom that thought preschool and reading before bed would be enough and now have a 1st grader struggling to stay on grade reading. I don't plan to make the same mistake with my younger kids. Some things we are using:

Learn to read in 100 easy lessons
Bob books
Lakeshore sight readers
Alphabet magnets
Pointing out reading in everyday life
Library, get a ton of books, bring home, spread out in playroom
Reading a book during meals and more times throughout the day than bedtime.

This is good advice!

Maybe some kids are just natural readers (or geniuses) but my kids both took some extra effort to get into reading. It's easier to get them started before it gets to the point where they are stressed out in school or feel like they are 'not good' readers because the other kids are reading 'better' than them.

We also did a lot of 'letter sounds' in the car. Once they know letters and sounds, ask them what sound Cat starts with or what sound Tree starts with, etc.

[Anonymous]

Read to her
Read to her
Read to her

Talk about the pictures in the books.
What do you think will happen next?

This is not a race. This is a building. You want her to understand what she is reading and be excited about it. You want her to learn to read. Lots of these games train the kids to read. There is a difference.