Language and Literacy
Talk, Read, and Sing with Your Child
Your child’s ability to communicate, read, spell, and expand their vocabulary begins when they practice with those closest to them. Conversations in the car or around the dinner table, singing during daily routines, and reading a book together at bedtime all contribute to a child’s success in language and literacy during their elementary school years. These building blocks are crucial for transitioning to kindergarten, as children begin to engage daily with written language and grow their ability to express themselves both verbally and in writing.
Language:
- Children who are talked to, read to, and sung to at home learn to read more quickly
- Talk to your child as often as possible
- Engage in conversations while in the car, outside, running errands, or at home
- Give your child time to answer when you ask them questions
- Listen carefully when your child is talking
- Ask questions and show you care about what they are saying
- Sing songs with your child
- Tell your child stories or have them tell you a story
- Play listening games, like hiding a small object and giving your child directions to find it
Speak another language? Fantastic! Continue to use your home language while engaging in these activities.
Reading:
- Read to your child for at least 10-15 minutes each day
- Let your child turn the pages, tell the story, or ask questions
- Get a library card and visit the library often
- Check out books from the library and read them frequently. Children love to hear books more than once.
- Use wordless books and create your own story by looking at the pictures
- Bring books in the car to read during wait times
- Make shopping lists together
- Point out traffic signs, billboards, and business signs while driving around town
- Keep pencils, crayons, and paper available for your child
