Predictable Books Teach Early Literacy Skills

Predictable books are books that are written in a way that makes it easy to guess what will happen on the next page. Because many predictable books repeat words, phrases, and sentences throughout the text, they are especially appealing to emergent readers at ages 4-7. Predictable books make use of familiar words, word/sentence patterns, illustrative clues, and rhyme to make the text easier to read. Predictable books are important because they are easy to understand and remember. Children are able to fill in words and phrases when they read the books again. Younger children learn about rhyme and rhythm, as well as inflection from reading predictable books. These books are often read with a singsong inflection which is easier for children to imitate. Finally, children begin to develop print awareness, such as reading from top to bottom, reading from left to right, and turning pages. They also begin to learn that a story has a beginning, middle, and end. Read these 10 predictable books with your child to make them feel successful with reading. Children who feel successful with reading are more likely to continue to want to read.