Reading, Literacy and Your Child
What is literacy?
Literacy means being able to read and write.
Why is reading important?
A child's reading skills are important to their success in school and work. In addition,
reading can be a fun and imaginative activity for children, which opens doors to all kinds
of new worlds for them. Reading and writing are important ways we use language to
communicate.
How do reading and language skills develop?
For an answer to this question, check out the following link:
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Language and Literacy Development from birth to three years—this helpful
brochure tells you what to expect and how to help.
Research has identified five early reading skills that are all essential. They are [1]:
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Phonemic awareness—Being able to hear, identify, and play with individual
sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Phonics—Being able to connect the letters of written language with the sounds of
spoken language.
Vocabulary—The words kids need to know to communicate effectively.
Reading comprehension—Being able to understand and get meaning from what
has been read.
Fluency (oral reading)—Being able to read text accurately and quickly.
How can we make reading part of our family’s lifestyle?
Parents play a critical role in helping their children develop not only the ability to read,
but also an enjoyment of reading.
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Turn off the tube. Start by limiting your
family’s television viewing time.
Teach by example. If you have books,
newspapers and magazines around your
house, and your child sees you reading,
then your child will learn that you value
reading. You can’t over-estimate the
value of modeling.
Read together. Reading with your child
is a great activity. It not only teaches
your child that reading is important to
you, but it also offers a chance to talk
about the book, and often other issues
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will come up. Books can really open the lines of communication between parent
and child.
Hit the library. Try finding library books about current issues or interests in your
family’s or child’s life, and then reading them together. For example, read a book
about going to the dentist prior to your child’s next dental exam, or get some
books about seashore life after a trip to the coast. If your child is obsessed with
dragons, ask your librarian to recommend a good dragon novel for your child.
There are many ways to include reading in your child's life, starting in babyhood, and
continuing through the teen years. Focus on literacy activities that your child enjoys, so
that reading is a treat, not a chore.
How do you read to a baby?
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Use small, chunky board books that your baby can easily hold onto.
Talk about the pictures with your little one.
Sing the text to keep baby's attention.
Play peek-a-boo with lift-the-flap books.
Help your baby touch and feel in texture books.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily reading to children beginning
by six months of age.
Where can I get ideas and resources for fun reading and literacy activities?
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Suggested Reading Activities—a quick list arranged by age group.
Ready—Set—Read for families has lots of activities and ideas grouped by age
group that you can use to help your young child (birth to age 5) learn about
language and get ready to read.
Get Ready to Read! activity cards and online games for toddlers and preschoolers.
Search for activities from Reading is Fundamental. You can search by age group
and type of activity.
Reading Rockets offers information and resources for families and professionals.
İColorín Colorado! is part of Reading Rockets, and offers information, activities
and advice for Spanish-speaking parents and educators of English language
learners.
Tips for choosing books your child will like at different ages and stages, infant
through age five.
Reading tips for parents.
Tips on telling and reading stories to your child
Using the library
More on libraries and kids, from babies through teens
What if my child is having trouble with reading?
Some children have difficulty learning to read. You may hear from a teacher that your
child has difficulty with language, or you may have noticed some difficulties that your
child has. When reading and language difficulties are identified, special teaching can be
given to help your child reach their full potential. Here are some resources:
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YourChild: Dyslexia and Reading Problems and YourChild: Learning
Disabilities have information about reading problems and how to help your child.
If you think there’s a problem: Helping your child become a reader—from the
U.S. Department of Education.
Strategies to Help Kids Who Struggle from Reading Rockets.
Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children, is an online book from the
National Academies of Science (NAS).
Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children’s Reading Success is also
from the NAS.
If you have questions about your child's ability to use language or read, please ask your
pediatrician or school system to check that part of your child's learning.
What about parents who have trouble reading?
Just as some kids have trouble reading, some adults do, too—or may have never learned
to read at all. In fact, one in five adults has real trouble reading.
Is there an adult or family literacy program near me?
There are many places for adults to find help. If you or a parent you know needs to learn
to read better, here's how to find a nearby literacy program:
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To find a program in your area, go to America's Literacy Directory, or call the
National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) Hotline at 1-800-228-8813 to speak with an
English- or Spanish-speaking operator, or call 1-800-552-9097 TTD.
Find your state literacy hotlines and contacts.
Check with a neighborhood library, community college, or city or county human
services office, or contact your state's Director of Adult Education to find out
about other programs.
To get help with your reading or writing skills, or to learn English, search for a
volunteer tutor program in your area.
For family literacy programs, contact the Even Start office in your state or the
National Center for Family Literacy, whose infoline is 877-FAMLIT-1. Find a
program near you.