When reading to children, simply reference the fact that the words coming out of your mouth are connected to those on the page.

The earlier children become familiar with the printed word, the better readers they become. And a study from Ohio State University found that preschool is a good time to start. Not reading, exactly, but letting children know that what is being read to them is contained on a printed page.
Preschool teachers who made occasional references to the printed page during storybook reading gave a boost to children's reading, spelling and comprehension that still lingered two years later.
At first, printed words are just squiggles to children. This is their first step at cracking the code and learning how to read.
- How Literate Moms Boost Test Scores
- Reading Can Pack on the Pounds
- Preschoolers Learn Language From Each Other
It starts small: pointing out letters and words on the pages, showing capital letters and showing that you read from left to right and top to bottom. At first, printed words are just squiggles to children. This is their first step at cracking the code and learning how to read. And it only takes a small change for preschool teachers to start children on this road since storybook reading is already part of most preschool classes.