I laugh when I hear someone ask how to "teach" a preschooler anything. Phrasing the question like this presupposes that you wish to instruct a 3-4 year old how to learn something they can't learn on their own. When in all reality, the only job you have is to introduce new concepts and provide an open educational atmosphere. The first step in "teaching" preschoolers is to take the concept of teaching out of the equation. Replace it with "introduce,""explore," "investigate," and "encourage." First hand experience confirms, the minute its time to sit down and accomplish a task is the exact minute a preschool temper-tantrum takes flight. On the other hand, if they never know they are supposed to be learning, the "lessons" sink in.
The next concept you need to grasp is that there is no set pattern, rhythm, or rhyme when it comes to "teaching" preschoolers. Each child is different. They have different life experiences, learning styles, behavioral patterns, interests, and challenges to overcome. Yes, I said interests. Even 3 and 4 year olds have interests that motivate them; whether its cars and airplanes, barbies and tea parties, or construction and web design. Therefore, approaching your class with one set curriculum is a set-up for failure. Your biggest challenge is to meet these needs directly, succinctly, and consistently.
How do you introduce reading to a preschooler?
Introducing "reading" to a young child can be done by reading to them, allowing them to follow along with you, giving them a book to look at while you are reading to them, and having them "read" pictures. All of the following games and activities will introduce reading to your young students, without it feeling like they have to "learn" something new.
How can you help a preschooler explore reading?
There are many way to explore all of the different areas of reading. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is reading aloud to your children. This is true whether you are a preschool center teacher, or the parent of a toddler. But there is more to it than just reading to the child on a daily basis. Remember my comments on the uniqueness of each child? It is important that you are reading materials that spark curiosity, enjoyment, exploration, and excitement. Its also important that you aren't selecting texts that are too long, or too short. You must meet the children's needs first. The best way to accomplish this is to allow the children to select the materials, and have a variety of texts on hand, such as: magazines, web articles, picture books, and even short illustrated chapter books.
Another way to help your preschoolers explore reading is through literary centers. These can be set up in a variety of ways. One of my favorites is the sand pit. Place large letters on cards an stick them to the walls near, or behind, an elevated sandbox. Allow the children to draw the letters in the sand. Before you know it, they will be drawing groups of letters and developing their own words. Another variation to the sand pit is jello bags. This allows each child to have their own space. Fill a zip-lock baggy half full with unset jello. The children will explore letters and numbers the same as they do in the sandpit.
Pass-a-long stories are a sure winner amongst the children for reading explorations. The "teacher" will start the story. Make it as simple as possible. For instance, "One day in the land of fairies, there lived Memme..." The "Pass" the story to the first student with a raised hand. They add to it with their own ideas. If you have an assistant teacher or classroom aid, have them write down the story as the children tell it. You can also have children participate by drawing pictures for the story. When it is finished, put it together in book format and keep it in the classroom for future story times.
Another version of this "game" invites the students to draw pictures with the same theme: for example, Halloween, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc.. After the children have completed their drawings, collect them. Shuffle the pictures so you have no idea which one will come next. As you hold the first one up, ask the children what is happening. Again, it is helpful to have someone write down the children's responses. Keep doing this until you run out of drawings or loose the children's attention. This "book" can then be put together and kept in the classroom for future use.
How do you invite a preschooler to investigate reading?
The word "investigate" evokes mental pictures of private I's and crime scene investigators. A great way to help your young investigator learn about reading is by allowing them to ask questions and look for clues. There are clues hidden throughout text, from picture clues to context clues. In order for a child to grasp the concept of reading, they need to understand that stories have order. Collect a few pictures and ask your students what they think caused what is happening, or what they think will happen next.
Treasure hunts and scavenger hunts are also great investigation games. There are literally thousands of ways you could set these up. My personal favorite is the letter of the day. Choose a letter in the morning, then let the children point it out throughout the day in the classroom, the lunch room, and the playground. The younger children will only point out the letter, but older children will start to find things that start or end with the letter. This can lead into them asking what other words start or end with that letter. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce a field journal. Dedicate one page to each letter of the alphabet, and as children find words that start or end with the letter, they can write or draw a picture of the word.
Lastly, how can you encourage a preschooler to read?
This goes far beyond alphabet memorization, phonemic awareness, and sight words. Encouraging a child to read is done best by making the experience look fun. When you read to your children; use emotion, allow your voice to change for characters, and add suspense before turning the page. This engages the children in the story, and before you know it they will begin to develop a desire to do it on their own.
One last thing on the topic. Quite often, children will develop their own made up words and language. Adults will often correct the children by telling them their letters are upside down, backwards, or in the wrong order. I've seen parents and teachers do this several times, and I have to say that it hurts the process more than it helps it. Before long, the child thinks he's dumb or she will never get this reading stuff. Instead of encouraging the child, the adult has placed fear and failure in the child's mind. Instead of correcting the child, ask him to read his story to you or draw a picture that helps tell the story. Then, at a later time, help him re-write his story in "our common language" so everyone can enjoy it.