Early Literacy
There are many ways you can help your child learn
to read. The most important thing you can do is READ, READ, READ! Read
to your child; read with your child; let your child read to you.
How to help at home:
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Give your child opportunities to use and appreciate spoken language
by speaking, singing, and reading to your child. Increase the length of
your sentences as your child grows. Play games that require following
verbal directions, and sing fun songs and poems.
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Give your child opportunities to expand his or her use and appreciation of printed language by seeing you read everyday. Read aloud things such as invitations, grocery lists, and notices. Give your child books as gifts.
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Give your child opportunities to hear good stories read aloud
by taking your time when reading to your child. Let your child hold the
book, look at the pictures, and point at the words while you read. Talk
about the story, and relate it to personal experiences.
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Give your child opportunities to use the building blocks of spoken language by teaching your child to pick out rhyming words. Help your child identify and separate sounds at the beginning of words.
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Give your child opportunities to use the building blocks of written language by
identifying the letters in alphabet books. Allow your child to uct out
letters from the headlines of newspapers. Provide your child with
pencils and paper so he or she can learn to write the letters of his or
her name.
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Give your child opportunities to learn the relationship between spoken language and written language by
making letter sounds and having your child write the letter that
matches the sound. Point out words that start with the same letter as
your child's name. Play letter/sound matching games by saying a letter
sound and having your child find the letter on a card.
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Give your child opportunities to learn decoding strategies
by touching each letter and saying the sounds when you come to new
words. Hide words around the house and have your child find and decode
them.
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Give your child opportunities to practice accurate and fluent reading
by giving them decodable stories. Allow them the time they need to work
on a word before offering to help. Give praise and encouragement as
your liste to your child read.
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Give your child opportunities to read a wide assortment of books
by encouraging your child to read books and other written materials
related to his or her interests. Set aside a special time during the
week that is just for reading.
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Give your child opportunities to develop new vocabulary through reading and direct instruction by
selecting many kinds of books and stories to read to your child. Talk
to your child about his or her day and use more difficult words to
express meaning. Discuss the meaning of these words.
Children need to see adults read every day. If you value reading, your child will see its importance.
Texas Education Agency (1997, Fall). Beginning reading instruction: Practical ideas for parents. Austin, TX: Author.
Copyright Christa Cloutier 2003