1. Teach the Alphabet
Learning the alphabet is the first step in learning to read. Children can start to recognize letters around the age of 2. Identifying the letters in child's name is a good start, as they probably have seen their names written repeatedly by that age. Learning the alphabet song is also age appropriate for a toddler, but kids won't know what they are singing about unless you link each letter to a visual representation. Alphabet toys, including bath sponges, refrigerator magnets and blocks, can introduce different letters and let your child start to spell out simple words like "cat" and "dog." This teaches children that letters make up words, even if they cannot read the words yet.
2. Read Aloud Together
Establishing a daily reading routine with your child can teach the skills needed to learn to read. Even as an infant, your child can associate reading with positive attention. Around the ages of 2 and 3 years old, your child will begin to associate words on the page with spoken words, even if she is more interested in the pictures. She will also begin to understand the concept of reading through your modeling the behavior.
At around 3 or 4 years old, children can start to comprehend the different elements of vocabulary, sentence structure and story elements. At this point, you should discuss the books you read together. Ask questions like, "This says that the boy was angry. What does that word mean?" or "If you were in that situation, what would you do?" to engage your child in the story. Choose books that relate to things your child is familiar with, such as visiting Grandma's house or becoming a big brother. Your child will be more interested in and understand more of a story to which he can personally connect. Character series books are also useful, because the child becomes attached to the character and more interested in the story.
3. Make the Reading and Writing Connection
Part of learning to read is learning to write. Children do not typically have the motor skills or intellect to write until around the age of 4. At that point, you can start teaching how to write the letters of the alphabet, beginning with the letters in your child's name. You can expand the connection between writing and reading by helping your child to create a written letter or a story. Write out the words as your child dictates. Afterwards, read back what was written to show the connection. You can even point to each word as you read to strengthen the relationship between written words and spoken words.
4. Identify Words With Objects
Labeling different objects with their words can teach the concept of reading to children. Around your house, you can label the television, the refrigerator, doors, stairs, bookshelves and walls. As children associate the written words with the objects they represent, they are almost reading. One way to reinforce this is to gather the labels and have your child replace them where they go. For older children, flashcards with pictures take this concept even further.
