To the Editor:
As a current teacher, I observe children who develop literacy skills at home achieve in school. Studies show home environment has an impact on children’s beginning reading skills. One way to develop literacy skills is to ask questions while reading (e.g., what will happen next?; how did the story end?) One study found 92 percent of first graders were stronger readers because of literacy skills fostered at home.
“You may be thinking, what skills should we work on?”
Your child’s teacher is a resource for suggesting beginning reading skills. Many children need letter/sound recognition, and rhyming skills. Letter/sound recognition can be reinforced by writing letters on cards, mixing them, and practicing 6-8 cards daily.
Also, sing nursery rhymes to stress the rhyming pattern. If your child doesn’t enjoy reading independently, ask him/her to read aloud, or take turns reading.
Having access to books helps children practice, and research shows when students read at home their reading achievement and motivation increases. Visiting the local library and/or having a book swap (i.e., where children trade/share books) can provide children multitude of books at little/no cost. As parents, it is important to understand that children need to be motivated to read. A study revealed reading engagement is directly linked with reading achievement.
There are activities to motivate your child to read. Visiting the library; choosing daily time to read ; having a bookshelf for your child’s books; choosing magazines to be delivered. Reading is a skill beginning in early childhood and developing throughout schooling. Research shows if children are exposed to a variety of literature early, they are more motivated to read difficult material in adolescence.
When children are exposed to literacy skills early, they are more likely to be successful. As a parent, remember that supporting literacy skills begins at home.
Carla Richter
Fairfax