15 best reading strategies for preschoolers

Teaching young children to read starts long before they can decode words on a page. The preschool years are when children develop the building blocks that make reading possible later on. These years shape how children will approach books, understand sounds, and connect spoken words to written text.

At Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland, we see how powerful these early experiences can be. Children who engage with reading strategies during their preschool years arrive at school better prepared to learn. They've already built the foundation they need for success.

Here's what works best when helping preschoolers become confident future readers.

Understanding Reading Development in Preschoolers

Young children learn through listening, recognising sounds, understanding how books work, and beginning to connect letters with the sounds they make. This happens gradually. Some children pick up these skills faster than others, and that's completely normal.

The goal isn't to have preschoolers reading chapter books. The goal is to help them love stories, understand that those squiggly marks on pages mean something, and hear the individual sounds in words.

Reading Strategies for Preschoolers That Actually Work

1. Read Aloud Every Single Day

This is the most powerful thing you can do. Reading together creates warm moments when children feel safe and loved whilst building their vocabulary through interesting words and objects.

Make it special. Sit close together. Use different voices for characters. Get excited about the story. Children remember how reading makes them feel.

Aim for at least 15 minutes each day. If you can manage more, brilliant. If some days are harder, even five minutes counts.

2. Let Children Choose Their Books

Children show more excitement and engagement when they have genuine choice about what to read. Does your child love dinosaurs? Find books about dinosaurs. Are they obsessed with fire engines? Read stories about fire engines.

Libraries are wonderful for this. Take your child to the library and let them pick books that catch their eye. They'll be more invested in stories they've chosen themselves.

3. Ask Questions During Reading

Don't just read the words and turn pages. Stop and chat about what's happening. Ask questions like:

• "What do you think will happen next?"
• "How do you think that character feels?"
• "Why do you think he did that?"

Asking questions about character motivations and what happens after the story ends helps children think more deeply. This builds comprehension skills they'll need later.

4. Point to Words as You Read

Following words with your finger from left to right whilst reading helps children understand that print carries meaning and how books work. This simple action teaches children that:

• We read from left to right
• Words are made of letters
• Spaces separate words
• Print tells us what to say

Research shows this technique improves word recognition and spelling years later.

5. Read the Same Books Repeatedly

Yes, reading the favourite book for the hundredth time can feel tedious. But repeated reading lets children become experts on their favourite stories. They notice new details each time. They start to predict what comes next. They might even "read" along with you from memory.

This repetition builds confidence and deepens understanding.

6. Play Rhyming Games

Rhyming is one of the simplest ways for children to learn new words. It helps them hear that words have patterns and sounds.

Read books by authors like Julia Donaldson who use rhyme. Sing nursery rhymes together. Make up silly rhymes whilst driving or walking. Say a word like "cat" and ask your child to think of words that rhyme with it.

7. Work on Letter Sounds

Start slowly with sounds, not just letter names. Children need to recognise what sound each letter makes as the building blocks to reading.

Begin with letters in your child's name. Help them sound out each letter. Once they've got the hang of it, move to other familiar words. Make it playful. Find objects around the house that start with specific sounds.

8. Create a Print-Rich Environment

Label objects in your environment so children can make connections between spoken and written language. Put labels on toy boxes, doors, and everyday items.

Point out words everywhere you go. Show them shop signs, food labels, street signs. Help them see that print surrounds us and has meaning.

9. Make Reading Interactive

Don't just read to your child. Read with them. Let them:

• Turn the pages
• Point to pictures
• Find familiar letters
• Predict what happens next
• Act out parts of the story

Interactive reading with questions like "Where should I start reading on this page?" or "Can you find a letter in your name?" makes stories more engaging.

10. Practice Phonemic Awareness Through Play

Strong phonemic awareness is one of the strongest predictors of later reading success. This means hearing individual sounds in words.

Try these activities:

• Clap out syllables in names or words
• Play "I spy" with beginning sounds ("I spy something beginning with /s/")
• Break apart compound words (cow-boy, base-ball)
• Blend sounds together ("/c/ /a/ /t/ makes cat")

Keep these activities short and fun. If your child loses interest, try something else.

11. Model Reading Yourself

Children like to imitate, so seeing you read shows them that reading isn't just something you do with children. Let them see you reading books, newspapers, recipes, or anything else.

Talk about what you're reading. Share why you enjoy it. Show them that reading is a normal part of life.

12. Use Books with Predictable Text

Choose books with patterns or repeated phrases. Stories like "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" work well because children can anticipate what comes next.

Predictable and patterned stories help children identify word boundaries and compare words whilst building confidence.

13. Connect Reading to Writing

As you read, help children notice that we read from left to right and that words are separated by spaces. Show them how the stories they hear can be written down.

When they draw pictures, ask them to tell you about their creation. Write down what they say. Read it back to them. This connects spoken language to written text.

14. Build Vocabulary Through Conversation

The more developed a child's vocabulary, the less challenging time they'll have understanding how to read and completing school work.

Talk to your child constantly. Use interesting words. When you read together, explain words they might not know. Make connections to their own experiences.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we expose children to rich language throughout the day through stories, songs, and conversations.

15. Make It Fun and Pressure-Free

Never force reading if your child isn't interested. Make it enjoyable. Create a sense of joy around reading by giving books as special gifts and building excitement around trips to the bookstore or library.

If one book isn't working, try another. If they'd rather play than read right now, that's fine. The goal is building a lifelong love of reading, not checking boxes.

Creating the Right Environment

Reading development needs the right conditions. Children need:

• Adults who read to them regularly
• Access to books that interest them
• Time to explore books at their own pace
• Encouragement without pressure
• Opportunities to see print in daily life

These strategies work best when woven into daily life, not treated as formal lessons.

What About Children Who Struggle?

Children who find phonological awareness activities difficult may be showing early signs of reading issues. If you notice your child really struggling with rhyming, hearing sounds in words, or paying attention to stories, talk to their teacher.

Early support makes a huge difference. Don't wait to see if they'll grow out of it.

Supporting Reading at Little Mowgli Nursery

We build these reading strategies into our daily practice at Little Mowgli Nursery. Our nature-inspired approach means children experience stories outdoors, point out words on nature walks, and connect books to their play.

Children need both people to talk to and topics to talk about, and when they play, explore, and create, they have more to think and talk about. This builds the language foundation reading requires.

Our small setting means we can tailor reading experiences to each child's interests and pace. We notice what excites them and find books that match.

Age-Appropriate Expectations

Remember what's developmentally appropriate. Between ages three and five, children typically:

• Retell familiar stories, sing the alphabet song, try writing words, recognise about half their letters, and start understanding rhyming
• Show interest in books and stories
• Recognise some familiar words like their name
• Understand that print carries meaning

They're not expected to read independently yet. That comes later.

Tips for Busy Parents

You don't need hours each day. You can build reading skills in just 20 minutes daily. Here's how to fit it in:

Morning routine: Point out words on cereal boxes whilst eating breakfast.

Car journeys: Play rhyming games or spot letters on signs.

Shopping trips: Let your child help find items by reading labels together.

Bedtime: Read one or two stories before sleep.

Small moments add up to significant progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't rush the process. Pushing too hard can make children resist reading. Avoid:

• Drilling letters and sounds like flashcards without context
• Only choosing educational books instead of fun stories
• Correcting every mistake when children pretend to read
• Making reading feel like a chore
• Comparing your child's progress to other children

Every child develops at their own pace.

The Role of Technology

When introducing screens, choose high-quality educational digital media that supports creativity, problem-solving, and knowledge development. Technology can supplement reading development, but it shouldn't replace:

• Reading physical books together
• Face-to-face conversations
• Hands-on play
• Time outdoors

Balance is essential.

Building a Home Library

You don't need expensive books. Use:

• Your local library (it's free!)
• Book swaps with other families
• Charity shops
• Hand-me-downs from friends

Choose a mix of fiction and non-fiction. Include books about topics your child loves. Keep some books accessible so children can look at them independently.

The Long-Term Impact

These early experiences shape how children approach reading for years to come. Children who develop strong foundations in preschool typically:

• Learn to read more easily in school
• Show more confidence with new texts
• Read for pleasure, not just when required
• Develop larger vocabularies
• Do better academically overall

The time invested now pays off later.

Reading development in preschool sets children up for a lifetime of learning. These 15 strategies work because they meet children where they are, make reading enjoyable, and build skills naturally through play and conversation.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we're committed to giving every child aged three months to five years the foundation they need for future success. Our approach combines structured learning with plenty of time for exploration, creativity, and discovery.

The most important strategy? Make reading a joyful part of everyday life. When children associate books with warmth, fun, and connection, they're already on the path to becoming confident readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start using reading strategies with my child?

You can start from birth. Even babies benefit from hearing stories and seeing books. The strategies just adapt as children grow. Young babies enjoy hearing your voice and seeing pictures. Toddlers start pointing at objects and turning pages. Preschoolers begin recognising letters and sounds. Start wherever your child is now and build from there.

How do I know if my child is ready to learn to read?

Most children aren't ready to read independently until age five or six. Before then, they're building pre-reading skills. Look for signs like showing interest in books, recognising some letters, understanding that print has meaning, and being able to rhyme simple words. Focus on these building blocks rather than pushing actual reading too early.

What if my child doesn't sit still for stories?

Many preschoolers struggle to sit for long periods. Keep reading sessions short. Let them move around whilst you read. Choose engaging books with interesting pictures. Read with expression and different voices to hold their attention. Some children prefer active books where they can lift flaps or touch textures. Find what works for your child.

Should I correct my child when they make mistakes whilst pretending to read?

No. When children pretend to read by telling stories from pictures, they're developing important pre-reading skills. Praise their effort. Show enthusiasm for their storytelling. This builds confidence and a positive relationship with books. Corrections can make them feel self-conscious and less willing to try.

How can I tell if my child needs extra help with reading development?

Watch for persistent struggles with rhyming, difficulty hearing individual sounds in words, lack of interest in books despite regular exposure, or trouble remembering letter sounds. If these issues continue despite consistent practice, speak with your child's teacher or GP. Early intervention helps tremendously. Most reading difficulties can be addressed with the right support.

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