The years before your child goes to school are probably the years when you spend the most time together. It is an important time for you and your child as you surround your child with love and your child learns to model behaviours and learn important skills from you.

When you have a preschooler at home, you have a valuable opportunity to help them learn to read with the right attitude. The foundation you set at this early stage of life will, to a large extent, determine their attitudes toward reading and learning.

You can begin reading to newborn babies within days of welcoming them home. Not only is this a special time to bond and snuggle for you, it introduces them to a love for books.

Remember that your example as a reader means a lot to your children. When they see you read, and when they can sit in your lap and listen as you read something at their level of understanding, they will learn that it is cool and fun to read.

Take your pre-schooler to one of Singapore’s public libraries. Many public libraries offer “story time” where you can sit with your kids and listen to a story or join in the fun interactive parent-child programme "Jiggle, Read & Rhyme". Let the little one pick out some books from the children’s section to take home and read them together.

Here are a few suggestions for the types of books to read to your child.

• Birth-1 Year: Lullabies, Song Books
• 1 Year-3 Years: Rhyming Books, Song Books, Short-Stories
• 3 Years-5 Years: Alphabet Books, Song Books, Picture Books, Rhyming Books, Short-Stories

Most importantly, have fun!