Literacy Home Connections

How Can You Encourage Your Child as a Writer?

-make a variety of writing tools (i.e., pencils, crayons, chalks, markers, magnetic boards, fancy paper, computer, etc.) available

-help your child to listen to the sounds in words to help with the spelling of the words

-talk with your child about different ideas that he or she could write about, such as school and home activities, pictures, photographs, television programs, special family events, etc.

-encourage your child to practise printing alphabet letters and number symbols neatly and legibly so they can be read easily

-write down stories that your child dictates to you and then read them back to help your child to make connections between reading and writing

-encourage your child to create messages for relatives and friends, such as notes, letters, birthday cards, invitations, thank you notes, e-mails, etc.

-praise and celebrate your child's writing efforts

How Can You Boost Reading Success at Home?

-ensure your child reads 20 minutes per night for pleasure

-have your child read aloud to you or a sibling

-using the “Reading Strategies” sheet at the front of the homework duotang, ask your child questions after he/she has read alone or aloud to you

-select a book that you think your child will enjoy

-have your child make the selection or choose the book together

-help your child make a tape recording of themselves reading

-talk about the illustrations and the important parts of the selection

-share in the reading by taking turns

-visit the public library frequently