Parent Resources
DOE Learn At Home Website – Specialized Instruction and Student Supports
Here are some great tips to encourage beginning readers:
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Guessing games: Play ‘guess my word’ to practice blending sounds in words. Space out the sounds in the words (i.e. c- a- t) and have your child blend them together and guess your word – “cat!” Blending sounds together to make a word is how we decode words while we read. This skill is one of the best predictors of reading success in early readers.
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Explore the books you read – go off script! Don’t just read the words of the story, but interact with your child while reading. Point out what is happening in the pictures, guess what is going to happen next, ask how the characters feel or explore why they are doing what they are doing. This will increase your child’s story comprehension and can lead to great conversations with your young child.
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Reading and your daily routine: Did you know that everyday errands are great opportunities to develop reading skills? Reading packages, signs and logos with your child helps them learn that symbols have meaning. For example, point out signs on your way to the grocery store. Then while shopping, ask your child to help you find the items on the shelf by looking at the names and logos.
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Reading together: Read with your child and, depending on their age, take turns reading pages, sections or chapters of a book. With older children, you and your child can silently reading the same book. Most children really want to spend time with their parents, but once children reach seven or eight years old, many parents don’t view reading together as an option; they think that’s reserved for preschool or early elementary school days.
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Write, write, and write! Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he is learning at school.
