School readiness aims to equip children with all the skills necessary for them to flourish at school and be successful at learning. Research has shown that school readiness is best achieved when parents are involved in their child’s early education. While preschool is vital in ensuring children are ready for elementary school, learning should be prioritized at home too, with reading being a wonderful supplementation to the knowledge and skills gained at preschool.
Reading is a fun activity that engages children’s imaginations, focuses attention, expands vocabularies and improves their comprehension and language skills. Storytime encourages creative thinking and the exploration of thoughts and feelings in a safe environment, making it a great starting point for open discussions and the engagement of concepts in understandable terms.
Opt for books that are brightly colored, richly illustrated and easy to follow. Stories that involve rhythm, rhyme and predictable patterns are also perfect for facilitating learning, as they are able to be memorized after several readings. These five books are ideal for helping your preschooler get ready for the challenges of school:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
As a parent, chances are you’ve read this book too. This is arguably the most classic of all picture books. Guide your child through the charming story of a caterpillar’s transition into a butterfly and teach them about colors, food, counting and the days of the week in the process! - Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman
This endearing tale takes you on a journey with a baby bird in search for its mother. In its quest, the bird asks a variety of animals who they are, giving your child the opportunity to learn the answers and about different types of animals at the same time. Edited by Dr. Seuss, this funny book is a great way for little ones to practice participation and answering questions like they would in a classroom. - When I’m Feeling book series by Trace Moroney
This book series covers a wide range of emotions and teaches preschoolers how to identify and express feelings in appropriate ways. Emotional awareness is an important aspect of school readiness, making this series a fantastic way for helping children to embrace feelings constructively and learn which behaviors are and are not acceptable. When children are able to name and understand emotions, they are better equipped to self-regulate and respond empathetically to others – skills which will fare them well in the formal schooling system and life in general. - The Family Book by Todd Parr
This bright book is an ode to family in all its forms. At its heart, this story aims to share the lesson that all families are unique, special and based on love. In a fun-loving way, this story celebrates diversity, encourages familial bonding and promotes inclusive ideas about family. - Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
This beloved story is a bedside table must-have! This classic children’s book chronicles a young boy’s journey from his bedroom (where he was sent to bed without dinner) to a wild jungle of his mind’s own creation. The well-illustrated story inspires children to use their imaginations and take control of the perspectives from which they view the world. The creative thinking encouraged by this tale is fundamental to ensuring school readiness and coincidentally, is a book loved my parents and children alike!
Invest your time in your kids by reading with them – these are memories that you and your children will cherish and you are also helping them become school ready. If you are interested in enrolling your child in a preschool that provides your child with a well-rounded education then enroll today with Parkland Children’s Academy.