Here are some ideas to build your preschool child's literacy skills...

1. Read aloud to your child: use age-appropriate books such as alphabet books, song books, picture and rhyming books

2. Ask your child questions as you read- this helps them to interact with the story but also aids in comprehension. For example, ask them to point out pictures and find letters they recognize. I start a story by showing the children the cover of the book and ask them to make predictions of what they think the story is about. As I read, we discuss what we think will happen next, what the characters are doing and make connections. At the end of the story, we summarize the book to aid in comprehension. Do not be afraid to help your child make the connections and provide prompts... such as "why do you think Pete's shoes were wet"...

3. Identify letters in natural settings such as magazine, books, TV, cereal boxes etc...

4. Use online resources such as www.starfall.com that help build on phonics by introducing letter sounds to the children and making the letter-sound connection.

5. Review your alphabet, both upper and lowercase letters- play matching games with your letters.

6. Practicing rhyming- I say "hi", you say "bye"

7. Practice opposite words- e.g. ¨the opposite of boy is.... ¨