The Preschooler

You Be Dora, and I’ll Be Boots.

Although taking time out of your busy day to sit down and watch an episode of “Dora the Explorer” may not be high on your priority list, you can bet that watching a favorite television program is somewhere near the top of your child’s “Favorite Things to Do” list.  You can take advantage of this passion by using it to help your child develop pre-reading skills.

After watching a favorite television show with your child, encourage him to retell the story by acting it out with you.  If you need a few more characters, gather some stuffed animals and use them in the reenactment.  Help your child create a few props to use during the storytelling. 

Use different voices for different characters, and ask your child questions such as, “What happened first?”, “What happened next?”, “What was the problem?”, and “How did they solve the problem?”.  All of these are story-mapping questions that help your child learn to better comprehend what they are reading or listening to.

Don’t be concerned if your child changes the story.  Although being able to re-tell a story using the main events is certainly a skill you want your child to learn, it is just as beneficial for him to use his imagination to create a new ending to a story.  Just go with the flow and have fun.  And, oh yes, don’t forget your “Backpack, Backpack”!

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Written by Laura on September 16, 2011