Home Literacy Practices

It's 5:30 PM. Dinner is running a little behind schedule, backpacks and shoes are strewn in an uneven mess from the front door to the family room, and the sounds of the family fill the house. It has been a long day, not bad just long, and I am looking forward to getting dinner done and putting kids to bed so I can finally rest. Busily chopping onions and listening to the meat sizzle on the stove I am interrupted by my daughter, “Mom, will you listen to me read?” My instinct is to tell her I can't right now because I'm too busy, but then I remember how important that time together really is. I quickly finish chopping my onion and take five minutes to listen to my daughter share a new book she brought home from school. We giggle over the silly pictures and point out the parts in the story we find especially interesting. It is only five minutes, but it is an important five minutes.

I want to give my kids an extra boost in their reading and writing skills and build strong family traditions of literacy and love. How does that relate to my daughter’s simple request to have me listen to her read? Well it all begins with the reading and learning culture you build in your home. Here are some great ways you can easily boost your child's literacy skills and build a culture of love and literacy in your home:

1. Listen to your child read aloud to you. This is great for building their self confidence and building some quality bonding time.
2. Read together often! The more you read and the earlier you start, the better the results.
3. Proudly display their artwork and notes. This shows that you value their efforts and gives them the confidence to continue practicing important reading and writing skills.
4. Point out and read signs found in your every day life. A great game to play with your preschool is having them count how many times they see the letter of the day while you drive around town running errands. It's a fun way to keep the little ones busy while taking advantage of a great learning opportunity.
5. Use big words. Kids are smart enough to learn them and are so cute when they use them. Don't be afraid to expand your vocabulary.
6. When making TV viewing choice, opt for educational shows to help reinforce and teach literacy concepts.
7. Go to the library! Show your kids how to find the books that interest them.
8. Have LOTS of books at home. Give your child plenty of opportunities to become familiar with books and reading. The more books the better.

If you follow these simple activities you will build a valuable culture of literacy in your home that will benefit your children and their education for a lifetime. They will also provide the foundation for countless tender moments of familial bonding and love.

Works Consulted:

Evans, M. A., & Shaw, D. (2000). “Home Literacy Activities and Their Influence on Early Literacy Skills.” Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 54(2).