BACK TO READING LISTS
Language and Literacy Skills:
Keys to your child’s success in school!
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Is it important for young
child to learn language skills?
It most certainly is when
you consider the huge part language plays in our everyday lives. Joan Sayre
addresses this issue in a booklet she wrote titled, “Helping the Child to LISTEN
and TALK.” She writes, “Approximately 70 percent of the
average person’s waking day (7 out of every 10 minutes) is directly related to
communications. Therefore, the importance of effective communication must be
emphasized, first, at home during early childhood, and, later, both at home and
in the classroom throughout the school years.”
The US Department of
Education has a helpful handout available titled, “Put Reading First.” The
first thing they state is that “Success in school starts with reading. When
children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to
become better learners throughout their school years and beyond.” The
research clearly indicates the positive impact made in the early childhood by
spending time developing pre-reading, pre-writing, listening
and language skills.
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How can we help young children develop these
skills?
Language comprehension (listening) and expression (speaking,
communicating) are highly integrated. We can provide experiences through play,
reading, writing, and skill development.
On the following page
I have included a list of suggestions, as well as a few websites that are
filled with great ideas.
Here are some things that
you can do to help develop and expand your children's listening, literacy, and
speaking skills:
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Capitalize on routine
opportunities to have the children follow or give directions.
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Gently reinforce the
rules of good listening and speaking throughout the day.
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Play games that will
focus children's attention on the importance of listening carefully.
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When reading aloud to
the children, encourage them to predict what will happen in the story, to
comment on the story, and to make connections between the story and their
personal experiences.
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Engage children in
conversation throughout the day.
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Ask open-ended questions
that invite children to expand upon their answers.
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Present new words to
children to expand their vocabularies.
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Respond to questions and
let children take the conversational
lead.
Web sites: http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts.htm
This site has some specific activities listed in the various
handouts and you can download them for free!
On this site you will find the booklet “Put Reading First,” put out by the US Department of Education.
The Read – Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease is another great resource filled with
information and suggestions for parents.
Remember
to keep the learning experiences FUN! 