Literacy 

Reading has always been imperative in a child’s development, but now more than ever, with the heavy presence of devices it’s more important than ever. You can help support your child’s reading by creating a rich literacy environment at home, by reading with your child and sharing your love of books.

Children develop literacy through shared reading experiences, as well as reading instruction. Both of these things are important for children to become fluent readers. 

So what can you do to help your child at home?

• Read picture books with interesting stories to your child as often as possible
• Talk about the words used in the story, 
  for example:

1. What do the words sound like? 
2. Are they rhyming words? 
3. What does that word mean? 

• Talk about the illustrations
• Talk about what happens in the story, for example:
• What do you think this book might be about? 
• What was your favourite part? 

Home reading and spelling practice

• Reading practice at home is important to help your 
  child consolidate what is taught in InitiaLit lessons 
• Home reading using books at the appropriate level gives children the opportunity to practise using their increasing letter-sound knowledge to work out words, and builds confidence in reading skills

So what are some helpful strategies to support your child while they’re reading?

• Talk about the front cover and title
• Look at the pictures and discuss what might be happening
• Point out any difficult vocabulary and discuss the meaning
• Ask your child to predict what might happen in the story
• Ask questions before, during and after reading (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
• If your child is not reading fluently, read it with them, then they can read to you
• Celebrate all attempts including mistakes
• Give ‘thinking time’ = 4 seconds
• Focus on quality over quantity!
• Celebrate reading together
• Make it a special time.

What can you say when your are listening to your child read?

• PAUSE, PROMPT, PRAISE
• Can you get out the first sound(s)?
• Does the picture give you a clue?
• Can you blend the sounds together?
• Have you seen that word before?
• Can you break it into parts?
• Does that look right?
• Does that sound right?
• Does it make sense?
• Do you need to re-read?
• TRY THAT AGAIN

Antoinette Ferrari and Mandi Joplin

Literacy Leaders