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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:

Ÿ         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

Ÿ         designate a bookcase or shelf for your child’s own library

Ÿ         designate a special place for reading

Ÿ         model - it is important that your child sees you reading and knows the purpose

Ÿ         be patient and listen as your child reads

 

Activities:

Ÿ         read to your child and have your child read to you every day

Ÿ         write notes and instructions to your child (hello notes, list of chores, e.g.)

Ÿ         encourage your child to read the newspaper or comics

Ÿ         have your child read the TV guide to find their favourite shows

Ÿ         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:

Ÿ         have writing materials such as pens & paper available

Ÿ         use a chalkboard or put magnetic letters on the fridge

Ÿ         model - it is important that a child sees you writing and knows the purpose

Ÿ         display your child’s writing in a special place

 

Activities:

Ÿ         have your child help you write the shopping list

Ÿ         write a letter to a friend, loved one or pet

Ÿ         create birthday cards or invitations

Ÿ         write instructions - how to take care of my pet, etc.

Ÿ         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:

Ÿ         listen to your child speak and ask important questions (who, what where, why and how) to help expand communication

Ÿ         engage your child in conversations you are having with others and model good conversation behaviour (taking turns, asking questions, listening)

Ÿ         surf the internet together for kid-friendly sites or visit the library to access computers with internet connections

Ÿ         remember that media awareness is important - make sure your child is accessing only appropriate information

 

Activities:

Ÿ         ask children to retell a story they have just read or a television program or movie they have seen

Ÿ         encourage children to explain a drawing or story they have just completed

Ÿ         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:

 

http://www.kidsnews.com/

 

http://www.cyberkids.com/

 

http://www.kids-space.org/