1. ____ The child enjoys being read to and has expressed an interest in favorite books.
2. ____ The child is able to sit a listen to stories being read to him/her and takes an interest in the illustrations.
3. ____ The child pretends to read by holding the book correctly, turns the pages and makes reference to the story from memory and from the pictures.
4. ____ The child recognizes his/her own name and knows some of the letters of the alphabet.
5. ____ When prompted, the child recalls events in the story.
6. ____ The child enjoys participating in songs, chimes, chants, poems and storybook times.
7. ____ The child chimes in on familiar or predictable stories.
8. ____ When prompted the child can distinguish the beginning, middle and end of the story.
9. ____ Some children will have sound-symbol correspondence, they'll know that the 'B' is what the word ball begins with.
10.____ Is beginning to recognize similarities and differences between stories or characters.
If you've checked most of the boxes, there's nothing to worry about. However, if the child isn't displaying many of the readiness for reading characteristics, the child may be showing signs of having language delays or a learning disability. Refer to some of the helpful 'Suggested Reading' on this page to guide you.