Reading Grows in Families

A guide for parents and families.

  From the NH Reads AmeriCorps Program.

Sponsored by the NH Community Action Association, NH AmeriCorps and other community partners.

Dear Parents:

J    Your child’s ability to read and write depends a lot on the things you do at home from the time he or she is born.

J    You can do many things to help that will not take much of your time.

J    This guide suggests materials, activities and attitudes that are important in helping your child learn to read and write.

J    Check off the things you already do.

J    Try and do something on the list that you have not done before.

 

This guide is dedicated to all parents and caregivers. 

Thank you for all the small and big things you do every day that help children take important early steps to reading and writing.

    Things You Can do at Home

All these things let your children know you care about them

and school.

Check off the things you already do.  Try something on the list that you have not done before.

o Write with your child and TALK about what you write.

o Point to printed words in your home like words on food boxes, recipes and directions on medicine.

o Visit the post office, supermarket and museums.  TALK about what you saw and read.  When you get home, draw and write about it.

o Use print to talk to your child.  Leave notes for each other.  Make lists of things to do, like shopping lists.

o Praise your child’s attempts at reading and writing, even if they are not perfect.  Say kind words like:

C   “What nice work you do.”

C   “I’m happy to see you are reading.”

C   “I’m happy to see you writing.  Can I help you?”

o  Answer your child’s questions about reading and writing.

o    Display your child’s work in your home.

o    Have a space at home for books and magazines for your child.

o    Subscribe to a magazine for your child.

o    Place some of your child’s and your books, magazines and newspapers in different parts of your home.

o    Provide materials that will encourage children to tell or create their own stories like puppets, dolls and dress-up clothes.

o    Provide materials for writing, such as crayons, markers, pencils, and paper in different sizes.

o    Read or look at books, magazines and newspapers with your child.  TALK about what you looked at or read.

o    Visit the library.  Take out books and magazines to read at home.

o    Tell stories together about books, your family and other things that you do.

o    Look at and TALK about written material you have like catalogs, ads and mail.  

o    Be a model for your children by reading and writing at a time when they can see you.

o    Point to printed words outside, such as road signs, names of stores and posters.

o    Attend parent conferences and programs in which your child is participating.