Programme for Ages 3-4

Objectives

• Show interest and enjoyment in picture books
• Make text to life connections
• Experience a range of genres – nursery rhymes, narratives, folktales, poetry
• Begin to develop phonological awareness
• Encounter new and unusual vocabulary
• Listen to and use more complex language, such as prediction and hypothesis
• Develop concepts of print
• Develop awareness of different perspectives
• Begin to be aware of the alphabetic principle (sound-symbol correspondence)
• Begin to use language to talk about pictures (visual literacy)

What to expect

• Produce clear sentences
• Understand simple questions
• Ask questions such as “what’s that?”
• Use some prepositions, pronouns and other grammatical rules
• Enjoy simple stories about familiar experiences eg going to bed, playing, eating, making a mess, pets
• Enjoy counting rhymes and songs
• May begin to understand that print conveys meaning
• Own favourite books
• Need to hear stories many times
• Engage in pretend play based on familiar stories and routines

Notes for parents: how you can help your child learn about reading

• Talk to your child
• Explain what you are doing and why
• Always ensure that reading is an enjoyable and entertaining experience
• Help child to “write” on greeting cards, thank you notes, shopping lists
• Minimal use of TV and computer games
• Point out print when you are out and about
• Have plenty of paper and writing tools available
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes often
• Make connections between picture books and child’s own life
• Go on outings – discuss before, during and afterwards
• Never make comparisons with other children
• Let child see you reading and writing often

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