Most
parents know that reading and writing is so important for children. How words
help us to understand our world and make the most of opportunities is much more
than reading and writing. This is called literacy.
The
word literacy often makes people think of school and many parents expect that
literacy will be taught to their children once they start school. Children do
not wait until they start school to develop literacy skills. From birth, babies
and children are learning all the time.
Literacy
is a part of everyone’s daily life. The experiences that are given to children
influence their knowledge and understanding of their world.
Children
need opportunities to practice the skills they know and are able to do in order
to become confident learners. In everyday activities and in your relationship
with your children, you have a wonderful opportunity to help them develop
literacy skills.
Literacy
was once seen as reading and writing. Now literacy is seen as much more; it is
language we use in:
- speaking and listening
- reading and watching
- drawing and writing.
Literacy
development begins in the family and continues in families and communities as
well as in schools.
Years
of research show clearly that children are more likely to succeed in learning
when their families actively support them. When you and other family members
read with your children, help them with homework, talk with their teachers, and
participate in school or other learning activities, you give your children a
tremendous advantage.
Other
than helping your children to grow up healthy and happy, the most important
thing that you can do for them is to help them develop their literacy skills.
It is no exaggeration to say that how well children learn to read and write
affects directly not only how successful they are in school but how well they
do throughout their lives. When children learn to read and write, they have the
keys that open the door to all the knowledge of the world.
The foundation for developing literacy skills is in place
long before children enter school and begin formal reading instruction. You and
your family help to create this foundation by talking, listening, and reading to
your children every day and by showing them that you value, use, and enjoy
reading in your lives.
You could say that your child starts on the road to becoming literate
on the day they’re born and first hears the sounds of your voice. Every time
you speak to your child, sing to your child, and respond to the sounds that they
makes, you strengthen your child's understanding of language. With you to guide
them, they are well on their way to literacy.
To understand the connection between a child's early experiences
with spoken language and literacy, you might think of language as a four-legged
stool. The four legs are talking, listening, reading, and writing. All four
legs are important; each leg helps to support and balance the others.
Talk with and listen to your child. Read together with them.
Help your child learn about books and print. Take advantage of the public
libraries. Encourage your child’s early writing efforts. These are all ways to
support the development of literacy skills in your children.
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important
teacher. You don't need to be the best reader to help—your time and interest
and the pleasure that you share with your child as part of reading together are
what counts. For more ways to help develop reading, writing, and over all
literacy skills with your child, contact their classroom teachers. They are
more than willing to support and encourage your efforts at home as we work
together to open the world of knowledge for your child’s future.
