Learning and Teaching

Supporting literacy is a shared journey—families and educators working together to help children succeed.

Families and educators can work together to ensure children have successful literacy experiences in and out of school, which is especially important if children have reading difficulties. Children with reading difficulties have specific instructional needs that are best addressed with a comprehensive approach to literacy development that includes supports at school and home.

The role of Parents/Carers

Parents / Carers  of  students in Years 3–6 play an important role in strengthening both reading and writing skills at home. Here are practical ways that you can help:

1. Encourage Daily Reading

Set aside 15–20 minutes each day for reading.

Allow children to read a variety of texts: novels, magazines, information books, newspapers, or online articles.

Talk about what they read: Who were the characters? What was the main idea?

2. Discuss Books and Ideas

Ask questions such as:

Why do you think the character did that?

What do you think will happen next?

What was the most interesting part?These conversations help build comprehension and critical thinking.

3. Support Writing in Everyday Life

Encourage children to write for real purposes:

• Shopping lists
• Emails or messages to family members
• Short stories
• Journals or reflections
• Instructions for a game or recipe