Literacy and Parent Involvement at Leschi

You are your child’s most important teacher!

Having fun reading at home is very important to your child’s education! Remember the ‘3 B’s’ for developing readers.

• Books of one’s own
• A Bookshelf or Book Basket
• A Booklight (for reading in bed!)

Research shows the #1 thing we can do for our children’s success is to read aloud to them.

Please help us get the word out to parents of young children. In fact, children should have at least 1,000 hours of ‘lap time’ being read to, and have been read about 3,000 books, before they enter Kindergarten to be ready to learn how to read!

How can something as simple as reading to a child be so effective?

We read to children for all the same reasons we talk with children: to reassure, to entertain, to bond; to inform or explain, to arousecuriosity, to inspire. But in reading aloud, we also:

• Condition the child’s brain to associate reading with pleasure
• Create background knowledge
• Build vocabulary
• Provide a reading role model

Read aloud with your child at home

Why read aloud? Reading aloud is the single best way to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader. By setting aside a special time to read with your child each day, you can improve literacy skills, awaken the imagination, and create special memories.

Read with your child at least 20 minutes a day, 20 days a month. Ask your school about the ‘Read to Succeed’ challenge.

Tips for reading with your child

• Set a cozy mood by sitting close together during read-aloud time. This is a great way to relax at the end of a busy day.
• Take your time while you read together. Let your child absorb the words and pictures and ask questions about the story.
• It’s okay if your child can’t sit still to listen to a story. They may want to draw or play quietly while you read.
• Try lots of books! Read old favorites over and over, but make new book friends as interest grow and change.
• You don’t have to read every word. Feel free to adapt a story to suit your needs.
• Take turns reading even when your child reads well. It’s fun to share the pleasure of a good book.
• If your child doesn’t like a book, set it aside and try another one.