Learning to read is incredibly empowering for a child, but it’s also very complex. There is no quick-fix or shortcut.
It’s a life skill that if taught well – fun, organic and developmentally appropriate – can build a lasting love for reading and books. Know these core fundamentals before even opening a book with your child.
- Develop oral language
- Read with your child
- Observe how your child is solving for words
- 6 academic steps
- What to do if your child doesn’t want to read (P.S. – It’s normal.)
Learn
Basic Concepts
TALK! TALK! TALK!
- Children learn about their world through oral language and storytelling.
- Children use talk to facilitate their own thinking and learning in all subject areas.
- Children jointly construct meaning and knowledge with others through talk.
We gain insight into our children’s knowledge and thinking when we listen to their talk. We learn:
- What they know about how language functions.
- What they know about interacting with others.
- What they know about the world around them.
Oral language development and storytelling leads to literacy development.
Do
Let Children DO the talking!
- Always encourage your child’s talk – Invite your child to take the lead. You play the supporting role. Listen and respond thoughtfully.
- Jointly negotiate concepts with your child – Follow and lead at the same time, listening to your child and inspiring uses of language that are just beyond what they might use on their own.
- Encourage reflection – Raise issues and pose questions that help your child to reflect on what they know, and to relate new concepts and ideas to those they have already developed.
- Observe – Watch your child while they are at work and play. As you observe pay attention to how your child:
- Shares stories.
- Retells events.
- Explains how to do or make something.
- Creates imaginative worlds (during play; through writing or drawing; while singing).
- Plans events.
- Enjoys language.