How can I support my child at home?

Read to your child every day

Each day the students will bring home several books. Parents help by listening to their child read, and assist by encouraging them to use cues to problem-solve rather than giving answers.

Talk to your kids (a lot)

Whatever your kid is doing (yawning, sleeping, eating, burping), talk to them. You are working on developing language.

Have them tell you a “story.”

One great way to introduce kids to literacy is to take their dictation. Have them recount an experience or make up a story. A typical first story may be something like, “I like fish. I like my sister. I like grandpa.” Write it as it is being told, and then read it aloud. Point at the words when you read them, or point at them when your child is trying to read the story. Over time, with lots of rereading, don’t be surprised if your child starts to recognize words such as “I” or “like.” (As children learn some of the words, you can write them on cards and keep them in a “word bank” for your child, using them to review later.)

Listen to your child read

When your child starts bringing books home from school, have her read to you. If it doesn’t sound good (mistakes, choppy reading), have her read it again. Or read it to her, and then have her try to read it herself. Studies show that this kind of repeated oral reading makes students better readers, even when it is done at home. Give your child time to make an attempt on an unknown word. A few seconds of uninterrupted wait time is important - it allows the reader time to think and process what is known, and possibly make connections to the unknown.

Ask questions

When your child reads, get her to retell the story or information. If it’s a story, ask who it was about and what happened. If it’s an informational text, have your child explain what it was about and how it worked, or what its parts were. Reading involves not just sounding out words, but thinking about and remembering ideas and events. Improving reading comprehension skills will prepare her for subsequent success in more difficult texts. A few example questions could be:

"What would make sense here?"

"Try that again."

"What do you think that word might be?"

"Look at how that word begins. Can you start the word?"

"Look at the picture. Can that help you?"

Make reading a regular activity in your home

Make reading a part of your daily life, and kids will learn to love it. Try to make it fun! Maybe set aside a time where the whole family is reading for a half hour together (all technology off).

Emphasize positivity

When children feel good about their reading, they want to read more. The more they read, the better readers they become. Your loving support encourages and assists your child as an emerging reader.