Because it is important for preschool children to be
exposed to magazines, as well as books, it is essential that parents and
teachers are familiar with the recommended magazines for the preschool /
4-year-old learners.
It’s been said that elementary students learn to
read while older students read to learn. Children in grades one through three
are taught word recognition to develop reading skills. Once children have
mastered the basic reading skills, they use the skill to acquire knowledge.
However, preschool children / 4-year-olds must be considered in the development
of reading readiness and the motivation to read, as well.
How
Preschool Children Learn
The preschool years are the ones in which children
mostly learn how to learn, and that is accomplished greatly through guided
play, observation, forming visual pictures in their heads, and by doing. They
learn about the properties of matter in the sand box and water table play. They
learn phonics by singing songs together. They learn about balance when they are
stacking and building things with blocks. It is important to note, however,
that most preschool / 4-year-old children are not developmentally ready yet to
hold more than one concept in their heads at a time.
Developing
Reading Motivation in Preschoolers
Parents should begin fostering a love of reading
books, and magazines by being avid readers themselves. Children often model
parent behavior. Children who are surrounded with books and magazines in the
home also tend to be more motivated to want to learn to read. Parents should
read to their children frequently at home. They should arrange library visits
for their children so that they can browse the age appropriate books and
magazines, as well.
Preschool
teachers read aloud stories to their preschool students, showing the words and
pictures to them in the process. This is
the first lesson for the little ones that text runs from left to right. In addition, the process of reading aloud to
children is a most effective way for preschool teachers to introduce
vocabulary, letter sounds, and rhyming words. After read-aloud sessions, it is
imperative that teachers and parents help children talk about the stories that
are read to them.
Using
a Variety of Texts to Help Preschoolers Learn
Researchers from Duke University stress the
importance of having a variety of types of text available to children in the home,
in preschool and in elementary classroom. Early learners need to comprehend
different kinds of textual information, including, not only fiction and
nonfiction story books, but also pamphlets, letters, recipes, newspapers, and
magazines. For children who are mostly accustomed to just storybooks, exposure
to colorful magazines full of pictures, puzzles and games is a welcome and
exciting change. The research from Duke affirms, then, the importance of
magazines in an early learner’s education.
The
Best Preschool Magazines
A good collection in school and public libraries
should include, not only a variety of books that engage and challenge children,
but also magazines that offer a different kind of textual challenge and
interest. Preschoolers and four-year-olds should be afforded the opportunity to
enjoy magazines, as well.
Young children see their parents get mail on a daily
basis. How exciting it would be for the little ones to receive mail addressed
just to them, especially if the mail is a fun magazine. Since some preschoolers
may not yet have library access, until they do, parents might want to consider
subscribing to a good magazine for their young children to enjoy at home.
Below is a list of some of the most recommended
magazines for preschool children and 4-year-olds:
· Chirp - Each issue of Chirp
provides children with fun stories, comic strips, jokes, puzzles, word games,
and crafts for parent and child to do together. It also provides interesting
information about travel, and animals. Chirp
is especially good for preschoolers as the features are just short enough
that little ones with shorter attention spans will not get bored with any of
them. For ages 3 to 6 years. (Purchase information)
· Click
Magazine – This magazine, an offspring of Cricket Magazine and created by the
National Wildlife Federation, introduces science concepts to children. By
offering colorful illustrations, engaging and informational articles, stories,
puzzles, games, crafts, and contests, Click
teaches young learners to care for nature and their environment. It has a
companion website that also offers additional activities. For ages 4 to 7
years. (Purchase information)
· Disney
Junior
-
Each issue of this magazine offers fun and enticing stories, activities, games
and coloring pages featuring children’s
favorite Disney characters. For ages 3
to 5 years. (Purchase information)
· Highlights for Children
– This magazine has long been a standard
bearer of children’s magazines. It is more age inclusive than most of the
recommend magazines. Each issue provides poetry, imaginative
stories, rebus stories, puzzles, jokes, riddles, crafts, and the all-time
favorite hidden pictures. For ages 4- to 12 years. (Purchase information)
· Highlights
High Five
–
An offspring of the popular Highlights
for Children magazine, Highlights
High Five offers similar content as the original Highlights does, but for a much younger age group. Read-along stories,
poems, crafts, recipes, and sundry educational puzzles and games that encourage
child development and provide perfect ideas for parent &child one-on-one
fun can be found in the magazine. It reinforces skills designed to prepare
preschool children for reading, math, character development, self-confidence,
and other learning and developmental areas. For ages 2 to 6 years. (Purchase information)
· Ladybug
– The emphasis of this magazine is mostly to develop
and promote, in preschool children, a love of reading and a motivation to learn
to read. The stories, poems, and songs are appealingly illustrated with
colorful artwork. For ages 3 to 6 years. (Purchase information)
· National
Geographic Little Kids
-
This magazine that opens up preschoolers’ horizons by featuring stories and
interactive games that teach them all about science, animals, and other world
cultures. For ages 3 to 6 years. (Purchaseinformation)
· Ranger
Rick Jr. - This
magazine employs stunning photography to illustrate age-relevant reading about
the ever-fascinating animal world. Included also are brief illustrative and
interesting tidbits about animals that make a nice companion piece of fun facts
with more in-depth learning. The magazine challenges the child by asking thought-provoking
questions and providing puzzles and fun activities. For ages 4 to 7 years. (Purchase information)
· Zooties
- This is another
magazine for young children who are fascinated with animals. It is filled with
spectacular wildlife photography with accompanying facts and stories about
animals. It also offers puzzles, backyard games, and other learning activities
to entice and educate children who love animals. For ages 2 to 6 years.
(Purchase information)
Note: Most of the recommended magazines in the list
can be purchased by using a discount magazine subscription service that many
librarians use, EBSCO.
Picture credit: Alena Ozerova Dreamstime.com
References:
PBS Parents: Grade by Grade Learning: Preschool
Global Post: Jennifer BRozak - The Best Preschool Magazines for4-year-olds http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/preschool-magazines-4yearolds-46085.html
No comments:
Post a Comment