Suggesting ideas to families to encourage reading and writing at home
Abstract
Family literacy is an important component for a child's individual literacy. Families that emphasize reading and writing as important skills in everyday life tend to have children who learn these skills successfully. These practices, from the Winter 1998 edition of The Tutor, provide national service programs with suggestions they can give to families to encourage children to read and write.Issue
If the family lacks involvement with the child's literacy growth, the task of teaching literacy will be more difficult. Many families only need a few suggestions to discover the ways they can encourage their children to view reading and writing as essential every day tools. Also, by encouraging parents to be involved with their child's academic growth, national service programs help strengthen family bonds.Action
The following are suggestions for families to encourage children to read and write as an everyday practice:- Let your child observe you writing. Think out loud while you are writing, so your child learns how composition happens.
- Ensure your child realizes reading is an important activity for everyday life. Let him or her observe you reading instructions, schedules, recipes, and so forth.
- Give your child a special area for writing, complete with a variety of pens and paper. The area could be simple, such as a shoebox, or it could be an actual desk. Having imaginative, fun materials to use for writing encourages the child to use them.
- Provide your child with reasons to write, such as wish lists, party plans, invitations, and writing to relatives.
Citation
Goldman, Elise. Children's Writing Begins Early...and Parents Can Help, The Tutor. Winter 1998.Posted On
October 31, 2000For More Information
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