Reading Games and Tricks for Ages 2-4 yrs

2-4 yrs is ideal age to introduce reading to the kids. My previous posts have ideas about how to go about it through flashcards etc. Along with that, reading books together and playing reading games bring excitement into it.

Expose them to different kinds of books: fairy tales, poetry, short chapter books, knowledge based and informative books, which may take more than one sitting to finish.

 Toddlers can name what they see in picture books. They like rhymes and short stories, and often want to hear the same story over and over. Have patience, Mom and Dad!

 Choose some books that focus on sounds. For example, the Dr. Seuss books can lead to lots of chanting and fun with sounds—but don’t let the author do all the work. Invite the child to supply the last word of each rhyme. Point out the formation of sentences and the idea of rhyming words. Follow the model the book provides and make some silly rhymes that are special for each child.
Make up your own games with rhyming words, silly sounds, and chants, like this one:
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
If the words sound crazy, don’t be lazy daisy
Ba Be Bi Bo Bu-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Have fun creating new verses by substituting different consonants for the letter B. If the child’s name is Sam, use his/her letter: Sa Se Si So Su-dle-oo-dle-oo!
Or try this traditional song made famous by the children’s performer, Raffi.
Apples and Bananas
I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas.
I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas.
I like to ate ate ate aypuls and baynaynays.
I like to ate ate ate aypuls and baynaynays.
I like to ote ote ote opples and bononos. 8
I like to ote ote ote opples and bononos.…. And so on

Songs, rhyming games, language play, and nursery rhymes—these are all excellent ways to spark children’s awareness of language and sounds.
For example, sing the Teddy Bear song.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground.

 Take advantage of everyday activities to talk about words and sounds. For example, when buying fruit at the market, you might ask the child which sound is the same in the words peach and pineapple, or in peach and tea.

 Pick books that connect to a child’s life and talk about those connections. For example, when you read Green Eggs and Ham you might ask your child, “What color eggs do you eat?” “Shall we look for purple eggs in the store?”

 After you are done reading the book, close it and talk about it with your child. Share your views about the story and the book. Enourage him/her to discuss it with other family members.  During necessary routines like baths, reading, and eating, be sure to make time to talk with children. Turn off the car radio and talk while you drive together. Watch children’s TV programs together and talk about them.

 As adults, we sometimes view conversation as a luxury—an extra in our busy lives. But for young children whose developing minds are striving to become literate, talk is essential—the more meaningful and substantive, the better. Set aside a regular “talk time” for adults and children, when having conversations about their lives is your main focus.