Unlocking the secrets to your child’s reading success
The importance of reading in a child’s early development cannot be overstated. As classrooms worldwide increasingly adopt a Structured Literacy approach, parents hold a critical role in nurturing their child’s reading journey.
Natasha Joao, Head of the Foundation Phase at Bellavista School, underscores the significance of parental involvement in enhancing children’s literacy skills at home.
Joao explains that understanding the science of reading—focused on explicit, systematic, and cumulative teaching of phonics and reading skills—is essential for parents. This research-backed approach consistently ranks as the most effective method for cultivating proficient readers.
How parents can support their child’s reading journey at home
READ READ READ: Make reading a daily habit. When children see their parents engrossed in books, they are more likely to develop a similar love for reading.
Create an enriching reading environment: Fill your home with a diverse array of reading materials that go beyond school-assigned readers, catering to your child’s interests.
Choose appropriate books: Encourage your child to choose books based on their interests, including digital formats like apps and e-books to broaden their reading experience.
Establish a bedtime reading routine: Incorporate story time into nightly routines. This shared time not only enhances bonding but also encourages active participation from your child.
Make reading fun: Enhance the joy of reading with visits to bookstores or libraries, creating a cosy reading nook at home, and using expressive voices during read-alouds.
Strategies for navigating school-assigned books
Avoid guessing words: When faced with unfamiliar words, encourage your child to articulate individual sounds instead of guessing based on pictures.
Build vocabulary: Discuss new words and their meanings, supporting vocabulary growth.
Check for understanding: Prompt your child to make predictions, discuss stories, and ask questions throughout the reading process to ensure comprehension.
Practice, but balance enjoyment: While regular practice is important, it’s vital to maintain a balance between homework reading and reading for pleasure.
Joa, further reminds parents that reading is not just a skill; it offers a multitude of benefits, including stimulating imagination, sparking adventure, and unlocking a treasure trove of information.
