Sunday, September 7, 2008

10 Tips for Parents of School-age Children

1. Read aloud with and to your child every day

  Experts recommend 30 minutes a day
  Pick books that are too long or difficult for your child to read on his own
  Choose genres that your child prefers
2. Create a print rich home environment

  Include both books (and books on tape) and writing materials
  Include newspapers and child-oriented versions of popular magazines (e.g., Time for Kids, National Geographic for Kids)
  Set aside a special reading area in your homeand make sure everyone uses it
3. Model reading and writing

  Make use of the family reading area on your own
  Let your child see you reading for work or to learn something
  Let your child see you reading for pleasure
4. Read and write with your children in your home language

  Let your child see you reading and writing in the language(s) which are most comfortable to you
  Stock your home library with books in English and books in your home language
  Let your child read at home for fun in whichever language she prefers
5.  Cook with your child to develop literacy

  Read recipes together
  Read the labels on ingredients together
  Make a family cookbook of favorite recipes
6.  Explore books together

  Ask your child questions
  Point out new vocabulary and ideas
  Explore the characters motivations and relate them to your familys life
7.  Tell stories together

  Talk together about your family history and perhaps, do a geneology chart
  Look at old vacation photos and discuss your memories of the trip
  Tape your storytelling
8.  Write with your child

  Provide lots of writing materials and papers
  Encourage your child to draw and write on her own
  Encourage your child to write thank you notes to grandparents, make to do lists, write signs such as Torys roomkeep out! and the like
9.  Communicate regularly with your childs teacher about his literacy development

  Find out what is happening at school
  Ask questions about your child and what you can do to support her
  Volunteer and/or observe in your childs classroom
10.  Visit the library often

  Encourage your child to get her own library card
  Take advantage of library programs such as family book clubs
  Find out who are your childs favorite authors and genres and go with him to the library in search of interesting books



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