The Home Connection
This website offers tips for
parents of children who are in the early stages of literacy development and
want to support each strand of the Language Arts curriculum (reading; writing; oral
and visual communication) at home in meaningful and interesting ways that will
promote their child's learning. Parents can help their children to learn
through immersion, demonstration, practice and engagement.
Studies show that students perform
better in school if their parents are involved in their education; the Ontario
Ministry of Education mandates that parents play an important role in their
child's learning.
Reading
The reading strand of the curriculum
encourages activities that focus on the development of skills that will enable
students to become effective readers and that will lead to a love of reading. A
well-balanced reading program will provide students with many opportunities to
read for pleasure, for self-discovery, and for self-enrichment:
In your home:
keep a variety of reading materials on hand - books,
magazines, etc. can be found cheaply at second hand stores or for free at your
local library
designate a bookcase or shelf for your child’s own library
designate a special place for reading
model - it is important that your child sees you reading and
knows the purpose
be patient and listen as your child reads
Activities:
read to your child and have your child read to you every day
write notes and instructions to your child (hello notes,
list of chores, e.g.)
encourage your child to read the newspaper or comics
have your child read the TV guide to find their favourite
shows
visit the bookstore and library regularly
Writing
The Writing strand of the curriculum encourages activities that students see as meaningful (with a purpose) and that challenging:
In your home:
have writing materials such as pens & paper available
use a chalkboard or put magnetic letters on the fridge
model - it is important that a child sees you writing and
knows the purpose
display your child’s writing in a special place
Activities:
have your child help you write the shopping list
write a letter to a friend, loved one or pet
create birthday cards or invitations
write instructions - how to take care of my pet, etc.
write stories together
Oral and Visual Communication
Oral communication skills are
important because they play a central role in students' learning in all areas
of the curriculum. To develop their oral communication skills, students need
numerous opportunities to listen and talk to others for a variety of purposes
and about a range of subjects.
Skills related to high-technology
media (such as film, television, and the Internet) are also important because
of the pervasive influence of these media in our lives and society. To develop
their media communication skills, students should have opportunities to view,
analyse, and discuss a wide variety of media works and to relate them to their
own experience.
In your home:
listen to your child speak and ask important questions (who,
what where, why and how) to help expand communication
engage your child in conversations you are having with
others and model good conversation behaviour (taking turns, asking questions,
listening)
surf the internet together for kid-friendly sites or visit
the library to access computers with internet connections
remember that media awareness is important - make sure your
child is accessing only appropriate information
Activities:
ask children to retell a story they have just read or a
television program or movie they have seen
encourage children to explain a drawing or story they have
just completed
introduce your child to e-mail and have him or her e-mail
relatives and friends
Literacy Links:
Language Arts
Curriculum http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/curr97l.html
Family & Child
Canada – Literacy http://www.cfc-efc.ca/menu/literacy_en.htm
Fun Links for
Kids: