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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

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