subject: Ten Reading and Literacy Tips for Parents of School Age Children [print this page] Ten Reading and Literacy Tips for Parents of School Age Children
1. Read aloud with and to your child every day
Experts recommend 30 minutes a day
Pick books that are too long or difficult for your child to read on his own
Choose genres that your child prefers
2. Create a print rich home environment
Include both books (and books on tape) and writing materials
Include newspapers and child-oriented versions of popular magazines (e.g.,
Time for Kids, National Geographic for Kids)
Set aside a special reading area in your homeand make sure everyone uses it
3. Model reading and writing
Make use of the family reading area on your own
Let your child see you reading for work or to learn something
Let your child see you reading for pleasure
4. Read and write with your children in your home language
Let your child see you reading and writing in the language(s) which are
most comfortable to you
Stock your home library with books in English and books in your home
language
Let your child read at home for fun in whichever language she prefers
5. Cook with your child to develop literacy
Read recipes together
Read the labels on ingredients together
Make a family cookbook of favorite recipes
6. Explore books together
Ask your child questions
Point out new vocabulary and ideas
Explore the characters motivations and relate them to your familys life
7. Tell stories together
Talk together about your family history and perhaps, do a geneology chart
Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip
Tape your storytelling
8. Write with your child
Provide lots of writing materials and papers
Encourage your child to draw and write on her own
Encourage your child to write thank you notes to grandparents, make to do
lists, write signs such as Torys roomkeep out! and the like
9. Communicate regularly with your childs teacher about his literacy
development
Find out what is happening at school
Ask questions about your child and what you can do to support her
Volunteer and/or observe in your childs classroom
10. Visit the library often
Encourage your child to get her own library card
Take advantage of library programs such as family book clubs
Find out who are your childs favorite authors and genres and go with him to
