How can I help my child be a successful reader and writer?
At home
- Encourage development of your child's oral language by:
*speaking to your child
*reading to your child
*listening to your child
- Read challenging books to your child and discuss them with your child
- Listen to your child read ‘just right’ books and discuss the books with your child
Before you read to your child
- Talk about the title
- Look at the cover and some of the illustrations
- Make some predictions about what you both think will happen
During your reading
- Share what you are thinking as you read
- Balance the conversation to keep the story going
- React to what is happening
- Make and revise predictions
After Reading
- Have a short conversation (not a pop quiz)
- Share your thoughts and questions
- Encourage your child to share his/her thoughts and questions
(Adapted from A Coordinator’s Guide to Help America Read: A Handbook for Volunteers and Help America Read by G. Pinnell and I. Fountas, 1997, Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann and parent presentat