According to recent research, parents should pay careful attention to three potential reading slump times that can hinder a child's reading development: when a child enters kindergarten, at grade 4, and when a child enters high school. (How to make Your Child a Reader for Life, Paul Kropp, 2000) It is key that, as parents, we do everything we can to ensure our children don't succumb to these reading slumps. Speaking, reading, and writing are all linked. And they can all be learned and practiced throughout the course of each day in age-appropriate ways at home. The slogan for ABC Canada's Family Literacy Day 2004 is Read * Write * Surf * Sing. In keeping with the spirit of this slogan, we have compiled a list of literacy tips that will help you ensure your child is never in a reading slump.
From all of us on the Literacy Committee, have fun during Family Literacy Month and pave a path to literacy together with your child.
Read
Write
Provide your child with a variety of reading experiences:
Give your child their very own magazine subscription. Consider teen magazines, strategy guides and comic books.
Arrange for home delivery of a newspaper and let them catch you reading!
Have your child read to you.
Have your child tell you about what they have read.
Ensure your child has access to a number of age-appropriate books.
Check out these sites for recommended Canadian children books for Grades 1 - 9: Read Up On It
Keep writing materials such as washable nontoxic crayons and markers, paints and brushes, and different kinds of paper where children can reach them - and use them.
Write letters or e-mails together to grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins or far away friends.
Write about your family history. Kids love stories about their parents when they were kids.
Make books. Pick a simple theme like "All About Me" or "What I Did Today" or let the kids choose their own topics. Have your child write and illustrate his/her own stories.
Surf
Sing
When used appropriately, computers offer an incredible opportunity to explore and develop knowledge.
Navigate the Internet with your child to find fun and educational websites.
Have your child research information about a favorite topic.
Have your child try out interactive word puzzles and games Puzzle Room for ages 4-8 Owl Kids for ages 9-13
If your child loves music, leverage this interest by doing a number of music- and song-based activities.
Have your child read or sing the lyrics of their favorite songs.
Pick up reading material about their favorite singing groups and performers.
The above tips were extracted and/or adapted from the following:
How Can I Help My Children Do Better in School? Parent's Guide September 2003
National Children's Literacy
