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Granted preschoolers have learned to recite and identify letters of the alphabet and someone has read to them on regular bases teaching preschoolers to read will depend on each child's willingness and ability to learn phonics and word memorization.

There are various tools and techniques available for incorporation into the process of teaching children to read. Techniques required will vary from preschooler to preschooler. For instance, some preschoolers will be able to begin reading directly from a book while others may require practicing phonics and sounding out words via flash cards, computer word games and preschool educational television programs.

Prior to commencing the teaching process, it is imperative to recognize that although learning to read is serious business simplifying the procedure can be accomplished by adding a "fun" aspect to it. In fact, the fun aspect should be thoroughly considered when choosing books for up and coming readers. Selecting books with themes and characters individual children are interested in will provide incentive for them to learn words on the pages. In furtherance, it is a good idea to let young ones help select books from stores and libraries. During book selection, flip through books to make sure they have plenty of pages with short simple sentenced graphics and easy to discern photos or drawings.

When commencing the teaching process, read through an entire book (if the book is short) and have children tell what's going on story-wise by explaining what's happening in the pictures after you read each page. Allow children to say anything they want about each picture. If children fail to include information regarding the "main idea" in their explanations, coax them until they do. Picture main ideas should mimic verbiage main ideas on accompanying pages. Thus if page verbiage discusses catching a fish from a lake and the illustration on that pages shows someone catching fish from a lake children should identify this main action.

More than likely preschoolers will point out things like the big yellow sun, birds flying and a dog if these things are in the illustration. This is fine. However, these things may not be the page's main idea.

Once children get the hang of "picture telling" stories, have them tell what they "think" is going to happen by explaining pictures from books they haven't been read. This process should occur page by page. Following children's perceptions of what is taking place, pages should be read, discussed

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