Everyday activities are a perfect setting for children to develop language skills and become a lifelong reader. When you make reading and writing a natural part of your day as a family, students acquire strong literacy skills and a bigger vocabulary to help them achieve academically.
To build these skill sets at home:
Encourage Literacy – Encourage your child to help make shopping lists, draw and write thank-you notes, write grocery lists and create menus for meals.
Tap Into Your Community – Check out materials such as toys, CDs and books from libraries. Participate in activities held by libraries and bookstores, such as story time, writing contests and summer reading programs.
Make It Easy – Keep reading and writing materials such as books, magazines, newspapers, paper, markers, crayons, scissors, glue and stickers accessible at home.
Read Together – Read books and rhymes and play language games such as tongue twisters and puzzles with your child. Point out the letter-sound relationships your child is learning on labels, boxes, magazines and signs.
Share Stories – Keep a notebook and write down stories your child tells you so that the child may see the connection between oral language and text.
Be A Reader – Children observe and learn from people around them. Let your child know you are proud of his/her reading.
When reading and writing are part of your family routine, your child will enhance the skills needed to better prepare him/her to do well in school.
Take Action: For more ways to help ensure your child is ready to learn, download the U.S. Department of Education’s resource, Parent Power: Build the Bridge to Success
