Parent Information

Activities for:

• Birth to 36 months
• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• Elementary
• Upper elementary & secondary

10 Tips for Parents

1. Read with your child every day.
2. Make learning the alphabet fun: play alphabet games, sing the alphabet song.
3. Understand that language is made of words, syllables, and phonemes: sing songs, read rhyming books, play word games.
4. Teach your child to spell her name and common words such as stop, go, in, out, etc.
5. Read reflectively: as you read with your child, stop and discuss the story and ask questions.
6. Visit the library, have books available in your home where your child can reach them, encourage them to read as a free time activity.
7. Give your children writing materials such as paper, pencil, crayons, markers, chalk.
8. Talk with your child: discuss activities that you do together throughout the day, ask about their day.
9. Restrict the amount and kind of TV your child watches: watch educational television with your child as often as possible.
10. Keep track of your child's progress in school: visit your child's classroom and talk to the teacher, ask questions, find out ways you can help out in the class and at home.

Developmentally Appropriate Literacy Activities

Birth to 36 months

• talk with your child when you play and do daily activities
• take you child to the library and to book stores to choose books and participate in reading activities
• take books and writing supplies with you when you leave home
• show your child how you use reading and writing everyday
• let your child help with things such as cleaning up and dressing alone
• have a regular reading time everyday
• sings songs and say nursery rhymes

Preschool

• read aloud and talk about stories
• give your child materials to color, cut, paste, etc.
• let your child help with chores such as counting, sorting, measuring, and cooking
• play games that require following directions, listening, and solving problems
• get your child a library card
• show your child that reading is fun
• have a writing supply box
• listen to your child

Kindergarten

• take turns reading out loud
• talk about family events
• talk with your child's teacher and find out how you can help at home
• ask your child to read everywhere
• give books and magazine subscriptions as gifts

Elementary

• have family time with books
• make sure your child has a time and place to do homework
• ask about your child's schoolwork
• get involved in the community
• ask your child to help write notes and letters
• read some of the books your child is reading and discuss them
• attend open houses and other events at your child's school
• encourage you child to read during free time
• ask your child to keep a journal and creative writing at home
• subscribe to newspapers and magazines

Upper Elementary and Secondary

• talk about current events with your child
• help think of ideas for your child to write about
• proofread papers for your child
• look into college opportunities together
• subscribe to newspapers and magazines