Building Literacy in Preschool: Common Sight Words for Young Readers

Preschool sight words are the most common words that young children encounter in print. These words are important for preschoolers to learn because they are often difficult to sound out using phonics strategies. By learning to recognize sight words on sight, preschoolers can improve their reading fluency and comprehension.

Here is a list of some common preschool sight words:

• a
• and
• away
• big
• blue
• can
• come
• down
• find
• for
• funny
• go
• help
• here
• I
• in
• is
• it
• jump
• little
• look
• make
• me
• my
• not
• one
• play
• red
• run
• said
• see
• the
• three
• to
• two
• up
• we
• where
• yellow
• you

There are many ways to help preschoolers learn sight words. Here are a few tips:

• Point out sight words in the environment. When you are reading to your child, point out sight words in the text. You can also point out sight words on signs, labels, and other objects in the environment.
• Play sight word games. There are many fun and educational games that can help preschoolers learn sight words. For example, you can play a game where you write sight words on flashcards and have your child match the flashcards to the words that you say.
• Make sight word activities. There are many creative activities that you can do with your child to help them learn sight words. For example, you can make sight word puzzles, write sight words in sand or shaving cream, or create sight word art.

Learning sight words takes time and practice. Be patient and supportive, and encourage your child to practice reading and writing sight words every day.

Here are some additional tips for helping preschoolers learn sight words:

• Make it fun! Sight word learning should be enjoyable for your child. Choose activities and games that they will enjoy.
• Be consistent. Set aside some time each day to work on sight words. Even if it's just for a few minutes, regular practice will help your child learn.
• Praise their efforts. When your child recognizes a sight word, be sure to praise them. This will help them stay motivated.

By following these tips, you can help your preschooler learn sight words and build a strong foundation for reading success.