Do you have a kindergartener starting school in the fall? It’s possible that he’s nervous about his reading level or that he loses interest in that sacred ritual before bed, right?
Because kindergarten marks the beginning of a more rigorous reading curriculum, children can become frustrated and lose their enjoyment of reading. What if there was a way to combat that? With loving support and the right children’s books, you’ll raise a bona fide bookworm with no problem.
the best books for 5-year-olds of 2022
here are some great book ideas for 5 year olds.
You are reading: Books for five year olds
kindergarten reading level
Kindergarten is an important checkpoint in your child’s journey through literacy, as it basically marks the beginning of their adventure. this is where they will learn the fundamentals of reading, such as mastering word and letter recognition, as well as sounding out words (1).
In kindergarten, children will understand the concept of reading from top to bottom and also from left to right. short phonics books with simple sentences are the best books for 5-year-olds.
However, this doesn’t mean you should rule out picture books entirely. Reading storybooks together at home is a special way to bond, although your child will start to learn to read independently.
how to choose books for 5 year olds
To make sure you get the best books for your 5-year-old, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
phonetics
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Any book with easy-to-read letter repetition and sentences is great for 5-year-olds. these are your typical run-of-the-mill phonics readers. phonics readers encourage the concepts that words are made of letters and letters are made of sounds that are then connected to each other (2).
phonics readers are a popular choice because they come in a variety of levels to suit your level as your child progresses.
vocabulary words
As much as we want our children to have a large vocabulary, you don’t want to overwhelm them with too many big new words in their stories. it’s a good idea to tone down the verbiage and assess whether your child will enjoy the new words or end up frustrated.
Larger, lesser-known words are fine, too, as long as they’re used sparingly. Children of this age are generally more familiar with high-frequency words and word families such as cat, bat, mat, etc. (3).
reading together at home
To help your child retain school lessons, it’s important to reinforce what they’ve learned throughout the day, at home. however, keep in mind that they will be learning so much at school that reading at home can be overwhelming. prevent burnout by playing word games or doing other literacy-based activities together.
1. keep distractions away
When you’re getting ready to spend quality time with your child and a book, it’s important to cut out all distractions. this means leaving your cell phone in another room, making yourself comfortable, and giving your child your full attention.
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It’s hard to get rid of life’s distractions. but making sure you’re fully focused on reading together will benefit you more than if you’re only halfway through.
2. let them choose the book
Children thrive on independence. a great way to help foster that is to let them choose the books you read together.
this may mean that they choose the same book for the umpteenth time. however, rereading their favorites helps them learn to predict what will happen next in a book.
3. find different ways to tell the story
There are many different ways to read together, whether it’s reading the story word for word or making up your own just by looking at the illustrations. Mix it up to spark creativity and keep them engaged.
let’s read!
Before choosing books for your child, remember to consider vocabulary, and then make your decision based on whether you think it’s appropriate for your child.
Now that we’ve reviewed the best books for 5-year-olds and how to find them, which one on this list is your favorite?
The day the crayons stop working has to be our first option. it’s a fun story and the hidden message of encouraging kids to express their feelings is what really got us.