- I spent over a decade as a first-grade teacher and early childhood literacy specialist.
- As a mom, I want my toddler to memorize the letters, even though I know that's not the best route.
- Instead, I practice engaged reading by asking my toddler questions that get them thinking.
I'm a former first-grade teacher and early childhood literacy specialist. I've spent years studying and putting into practice what helps young children learn to read.
But I'll admit, now that I have a toddler of my own, it's incredibly tempting to want to expose him to letters over and over again in the hopes he will be able to identify them. Why? Because it feels like a clear, measurable way to show that he's on his way to becoming a reader — like I can prove that we're doing something and it's working.
He knows that's an "A?" Amazing, then we must be getting somewhere. But I know it's not that simple.
Memorizing letters isn't the key to reading
So many parents of preschool-age children default to thinking kids need to be able to identify letters, and they take painstaking steps to make that happen. In reality, flashcards, letter puzzles, worksheets, and alphabet games are all great if your child enjoys them. But they aren't strong predictors of early reading success.
There's something that matters more than a preschool-aged child naming a letter or reading a word.
Instead, the best way to help your child build reading skills before kindergarten is to make storytime a little more interactive, and it's a lot easier than you think. In fact, if you're reading books with your child at home, you're already doing the most important part.
Turning storytime into a conversation
Interactive storytelling is essentially having a conversation with your child about the book you're reading. It's a simple habit that can have a meaningful impact on your child's early reading skills.
So, how can you start incorporating some of this into your reading time at home?
Start by picking up a book your child loves, one you just got from the library, or one you haven't turned to in a while (any book they're excited about works).
Then, pause and ask a few questions. Try things like:
- "What do you think might happen in this story?"
- "What do you notice on the cover of the book?"
- "Why do you think the character did that?"
- "What could happen next?"
- "How do you think the character feels?"
- "Can you tell me about what's happening in this picture?"
- "What was your favorite part of the story?"
You don't need to overdo it or do this with every book you read. One book and a few questions count. When possible, try more open-ended ones, like "What do you think she'll do next?" instead of "Do you think the girl will try to find her bag?"
Why asking questions while reading with your child matters
If you're a parent of a toddler, you know one of their favorite words is "why." While being bombarded by a dozen plus "whys" per hour can feel like a lot, it's a sign of something important: Your child is trying to make sense of the world.
This is your chance to meet them in that curiosity, right inside a book.
Getting into the habit of asking your child a few questions, even with just one book a night, can help build their oral language and critical thinking skills. These are both strong predictors of later reading development and success.
By doing this, you're building understanding. Knowing letters is helpful, but understanding stories, ideas, and meaning is what reading is all about.
You're also naturally strengthening your child's vocabulary by exposing them to new words in context (which is how children learn language best).
Additionally, it teaches your child to think, not just to recall. Those "why" questions help kids make predictions, connections, and inferences.
Reading this way can make things feel more engaging and connected. It's a way to keep doing something together, rather than something your child feels tested on.
The best part? You're likely already naturally doing a bit of this while reading with your child. This just helps you be more intentional with it and lets you know the real impact you're making.
