What ways can I enhance a child's concept about books and print?

Answer 1

Print should be available in a child's environment in every possible way. The adult should call the child's attention to print in a wide variety of ways. "Oh look, Mary, I see your M on this cereal box." "This is such an interesting article in the newspaper about dogs. See the picture? It says ..." Read to the child often. A child should be hearing a minimum of 3 stories a day. As you read point to the print to be sure the child understands that the print carries the message. You can ask the child where do I start reading to be sure he understands that. Follow the print with your finger sometimes. The child will learn that the print flows from left to right, and top to bottom. He will also be learning how the pages turn, and which way is right side up! The child should see you write so that he learns that letters build words, and words build sentences. When the child(ren) are watching you, you should say the letters as you write them. "I will write your name. Can you tell me what letter it starts with? M? OK, M-a-r-y." Point out signs and talk about what they mean. "Oh look. That says exit. E-X-I-T. That sign tells us there is a door so we can leave that way if we need to." Label everything, and point out those labels to call their attention to print.

Our environment is filled with print. Use it, and call the children's attention to it to help develop their concepts of print!

Answer 2

The best way to ensure that your child becomes a lifelong reader is to be a reader yourself. Keep books, magazines, newspapers around the house. Share your favorite stories and articles with your child. Make going to the library an adventure for you both- pick up age-appropriate books for your child and read a few pages together to see what sparks your child's interest. Show that reading is a way to learn about the world. If your child is interested in cars, find written materials that your child can understand/relate to. I'm also a big advocate of comic books and graphic novels, and there are a lot available that are more PG than R rated.
Also, a fun thing to do is to read a book that has been made into a movie. Read the book first, talk about the characters and themes. Decide together how you would make the movie- what would the characters look like? How would they act? Then watch the movie and compare to your 'version'- you can also find books without illustrations, and as you read you and your child can draw your own pictures to go with the actions.
I hope this helps, and I think that both you and your child can have fun doing these things together.
My favorite memories of my mother include her reading to me before bed at night.

Answer 3

There are many ways in which you can enhance a child's concept about books and print. Keep books with print in them so children can look at them as they wish. Magazines, flyers, newspapers, books, even a telephone book can be used to show children print. I worked in a daycare setting for 2 years and we were expected to have all these types of print out on the shelves at all times. I also think by reading to your child or the children you are working with will encourage them to become interested in books and print. Use books that you know the children will be interested in too. This will draw their attention to the books and they will explore the print within the books. By showing your child that you, yourself enjoy books it will help your child see books can be fun!

Answer 4

Include your child in all the things you do that require print, from the newspaper to street signs. Phone books to ingredients. The more they are aware and are included, the more interested they will become. You may even give them "adult" print such as newspapers, phone books, receipts, catalogs, cook books, etc. Let them be a part of the "REAL" world of print outside of their board books with huge pictures.