- Help children learn the meanings of new words by naming
colors, shapes, animals, familiar objects, and parts of the
classroom
- Teach about the sounds of spoken language by reading
aloud books with interesting sounds, chanting, and
rhyming; by having children say or sing nursery rhymes and
songs; and by playing word games
- Teach children about print by pointing out and using the
print that is all around them
- Teach the letters of the alphabet
- Encourage children to scribble, draw, and try to write
What children should be able to do
by age 5
The following is a list of some accomplishments that you can
expect for your child by age 5. This list is based on research in
the fields of reading, early childhood education, and child
development. Remember, though, that children don’t develop
and learn at the same pace and in the same way. Your child
may be more advanced or need more help than others in her
age group. You are, of course, the best judge of your child’s
abilities and needs. You should take the accomplishments as
guidelines and not as hard-and-fast rules.
Spoken language
A five-year-old child . . .
- Understands and follows oral (or spoken) directions
- Uses new words and longer sentences when she speaks
- Recognizes the beginning sounds of words and sounds that rhyme
- Listens carefully when books are read aloud