Preschoolers

Encourage preschool children to carry out the steps to written recipes, or read printed labels at the store. At four or five, children may begin to ask questions about the print they see in books. Books with labeled pictures help children to connect words and objects more easily. Play picture-card games with your child--but remember, they may not always play by the rules at this age! Provide a variety of materials to encourage children to "play" at writing and reading--checks or traffic tickets, menus or greeting cards.